How to Find Out If You Have Unclaimed Money

Unclaimed money is usually money that belongs to you but was never delivered—like old bank accounts, refund checks, or insurance payouts that got “lost” when your address or name changed.

HowToGetAssistance.org provides general information only; you must use official government and financial institution channels to search for and claim any unclaimed funds.

Fast Answer: Where to Check First

To find out if you have unclaimed money, you typically need to search official unclaimed property databases using your full legal name (and past names) and your current and previous addresses.

In the U.S., the main starting points are commonly:

Your state’s unclaimed property office (usually run by the state treasurer or comptroller).
The federal Treasury/IRS for tax-related items.
Specialized federal sites for things like savings bonds or pension benefits.

A simple first move is to search your name at your state’s official unclaimed property site and then repeat for any other states where you’ve lived or worked.

Key Terms You’ll See (Plainly Explained)

Unclaimed property – Money or financial assets a business or agency still holds in your name after losing contact with you.
Escheat – The legal process where money from inactive accounts is turned over to the state until the rightful owner claims it.
Holder – The company or institution that originally held the money (bank, insurer, employer, utility, etc.).
Unclaimed property office – The state agency that manages and lists unclaimed money for residents.

Understanding these terms helps you recognize that you’re looking for property in your name being held by a state agency, not a private “search” service.

Does Unclaimed Money Likely Apply to You?

You don’t need to “qualify” in the way you would for a benefits program. Instead, you’re checking whether money legally attached to your name and identity is being held somewhere. You’re more likely to have unclaimed money if:

You moved frequently and did not always update your address with banks, employers, or service providers.
You changed your name, such as after marriage or divorce.
You left a job where you had a retirement plan, stock options, or final paycheck issues.
You had utilities or rentals with deposits (electric, gas, internet, apartment).
You had life insurance policies, were a named beneficiary, or had long-term insurance relationships.
You received paper checks (refunds, rebates, class-action settlements) that you may not have cashed.

State rules and systems vary, so the best way to know which office handles your money is to search for “[your state] unclaimed property” and look for a .gov site run by the treasurer, comptroller, or revenue department.

Your Next Steps: How to Search and What to Expect

1. Gather the basic information you’ll need

You typically do not need many documents just to search, but to claim money you’ll often need:

Full legal name (plus any former names or common misspellings).
Current and previous addresses going back several years.
Proof of identity such as a driver’s license or state ID.
Proof of address or ownership, commonly a utility bill, bank statement, lease, or tax document.

Keep digital copies or clear photos of ID and address documents ready in case you need to upload them to a state portal or send them by mail.

2. Search your state’s unclaimed property site

Go to your state’s official unclaimed property portal.
- Usually found on the state treasurer, comptroller, or revenue department website.
- Look for a .gov address and avoid any site that asks for upfront fees just to search.
Enter your information.
- Start with your last name and first name.
- Run separate searches for previous last names and common misspellings.
- Use cities or ZIP codes if the tool allows narrowing down results.
Review the results carefully.
- Check that the name, city, and address listed match information from your past.
- It’s common to see small amounts (utility refunds) and occasionally larger ones (insurance proceeds or old accounts).

What to expect next:
If you see property that looks like it’s yours, you’ll usually click a “Claim” or “File a claim” button and be guided through an online or printable claim form.

3. Repeat the search for every state where you’ve lived or worked

Unclaimed money generally gets reported to the state linked to your last known address with the holder. To be thorough:

Make a list of all states where you’ve:
- Lived as an adult.
- Attended college.
- Worked for an employer or owned a business.
Visit each state’s official unclaimed property site and repeat the search process.

To help locate multiple states’ links in one place, you can typically use the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) via the official MissingMoney.com or unclaimed.org sites, which direct you to state-run resources, though it’s still wise to confirm you’re landing on a .gov or official state portal.

4. Check federal sources for certain types of unclaimed funds

Some federal-held money does not appear in state databases. Common federal sources include:

IRS refunds: If you think you never got a tax refund, you can use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool at the official IRS.gov website.
U.S. savings bonds: Old paper savings bonds or those issued to relatives may be tracked or claimed through the U.S. Treasury’s official TreasuryDirect.gov site.
Pension/retirement benefits: The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC.gov) has a searchable database for certain missing pension participants.
FDIC or NCUA claims: If a bank or credit union failed, the FDIC.gov or NCUA.gov may list unclaimed deposits tied to that institution.

Do this next:
After you finish your state searches, visit at least the IRS and Treasury U.S. savings bond pages if you suspect you’re missing a refund or old bond.

5. Submit a claim for any money that appears to be yours

Once you’ve found unclaimed property that clearly matches your identity:

Start the claim online (most common) or download the claim form if your state uses paper.
Provide required documents, which commonly include:
- Photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state ID).
- Proof of address matching the address on the listing (utility bill, lease, old tax form).
- For name changes, a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
- For deceased relatives, a death certificate and proof you are the heir or executor.
Submit and keep copies of everything, including confirmation numbers or mailed receipts.

What to expect next:
Processing time varies by state and by claim complexity. You’ll typically receive either a check by mail or a direct deposit, but no timeline or outcome is guaranteed; some claims need extra verification or may be denied if documentation is incomplete.

Avoid Mistakes and Unclaimed Money Scams

Because unclaimed money involves personal details and possible payouts, scam attempts are common. Focus on official, no-fee search tools and be cautious with anyone contacting you about money “waiting” for you.

Common snags (and quick fixes)

Using unofficial sites that charge fees: If a site wants money just to search, close it and go directly to your state’s .gov portal.
Not recognizing an old address: People often skip listings with addresses they barely remember; if the name and city are roughly right, check old records before you dismiss it.
Missing documentation for old addresses: If you can’t find proof of an address, you can often use old tax returns, W‑2 forms, or credit reports that list that address.
Confusion with similar names: If results show others with your name, match birthdates and past addresses, and only claim entries that clearly match your history.

Scam and safety guidance

Do not pay a fee just to search for unclaimed money—official state and federal databases are normally free to use.
Be wary of unsolicited calls, emails, or texts promising large sums if you “act fast” or pay a processing fee.
Never send full Social Security numbers, bank account logins, or debit card information through links from an unknown message. Access state and federal sites by typing the web address yourself or using a trusted search engine.
Some states allow licensed “finders” or “locators” to help for a percentage fee; if you choose to use one, verify their registration with the state unclaimed property office and understand that you can often file the same claim yourself at no cost.

A simple phone script if you’re unsure about a letter or call:
“Hi, I received a notice about unclaimed property in my name. Can you confirm whether this notice is from your office, and how I can verify it on your official website before sharing any personal information?”

If You Hit a Problem or Need to Correct Something

If your claim is delayed, denied, or you think there is money that doesn’t show up in searches, you still have options.

Contact the state unclaimed property office directly.
- Use the phone number or email listed on the official .gov site.
- Ask if additional documents are needed or if there is another way to verify your identity or address.
If you can’t find money you’re sure exists:
- Confirm which state would have received the funds, based on your last address on file with the holder.
- Contact the original holder (bank, employer, insurer) and ask when and where they reported the unclaimed funds.
If you need to correct personal information:
- For minor issues (typo in your name, missing apartment number), states often accept a signed statement plus ID.
- For major differences (completely different last name), you’ll typically need legal name-change documents or a court order linking the names.

If state and federal searches, plus direct contact with known former holders, still show nothing, there may simply be no unclaimed property in your name at this time—there is no guarantee that everyone has unclaimed money. You can, however, set a reminder to re-check every year or two, especially after moves, name changes, or major life events.