How to Find Unclaimed Money in Your Name

Unclaimed money usually comes from forgotten accounts, refunds, checks, or benefits that never reached you and were turned over to a government agency for safekeeping.

HowToGetAssistance.org provides general information only; to search for or claim unclaimed money, you must use official government websites and offices.

Fast Answer: Where to Look for Unclaimed Money

To search for unclaimed money, you typically need to check multiple official databases, starting with:

• State unclaimed property offices (where you live now and where you previously lived)
• Federal programs that sometimes hold unclaimed money
• Specific agencies for old tax refunds, pensions, or savings bonds

You generally do not need to pay anyone to search for unclaimed money. Most official searches are free and done directly on government sites.

Key Terms (Plain English)

• Unclaimed property: Money or assets a company or agency owes you but couldn’t deliver, so they sent it to the state.
• Escheat: The legal process where abandoned money is turned over to a state government.
• Holder: The business or institution that originally held your money (like a bank or insurer).
• Claim: The request you submit to the state or agency to get your unclaimed money released to you.

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Search

You can start with very little information, but you’ll find and claim money faster if you gather a few basics first.

Have this information ready:

• Full legal name, plus former names (including maiden or previous married names)
• Current and past addresses, especially where you lived when you opened accounts or worked certain jobs
• Date of birth
• Social Security number (last 4 digits often help)

If you submit a claim, you’ll commonly be asked to upload or mail proof of identity and proof of address, such as:

• Government ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
• Utility bill, bank statement, or lease showing the address linked to the unclaimed property
• In some cases, legal documents (marriage certificate, death certificate, power of attorney, or probate documents) if you’re claiming for a deceased relative or through an estate.

Real-world friction to watch for: A common snag is that the address on your ID doesn’t match the old address on the unclaimed account; in that case, agencies typically ask for extra proof linking you to that old address (like an old statement, tax form, or lease).

Your Next Steps: How to Search and File a Claim

1. Start with Your State Unclaimed Property Office

In the U.S., most unclaimed money from companies goes to state unclaimed property programs, usually run by the state treasurer, comptroller, or revenue department. Rules and websites vary by state, but the basic search steps are similar.

Do this next:

1. Find your official state site.

   • A reliable starting point for many states is the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) website at unclaimed.org, which links to official state portals.
   • You can also search “[Your State] unclaimed property” and verify the site ends in .gov.

2. Search by name.

   • Enter your first and last name, and try variations (with and without middle initial, past last names).
   • Repeat for each state where you’ve lived, worked, or gone to school.

3. Review matches carefully.

   • Check whether the name spelling, address, and possibly company name look familiar.
   • You can usually click for more detail (like type of property: wages, bank account, refund, etc.).

4. Submit a claim for each item that’s yours.

   • Click the state site’s “Claim” or “File Claim” option.
   • Provide your contact information and upload or mail required documents.

What to expect next:
After you submit a claim, the state typically sends a confirmation email or letter and may ask for more documentation. Processing times vary widely—sometimes weeks, sometimes months—depending on the state’s backlog and the complexity of the claim.

2. Check Federal Sources for Specific Types of Unclaimed Money

Some unclaimed funds never go to state programs and are held by federal agencies instead. Different agencies handle different types of money.

Here is a simple overview:

For federal sites, use only .gov addresses, and start from trusted pages like USA.gov’s unclaimed money page, which lists official links in one place.

Typical steps for a federal search:

1. Identify the right agency based on the type of money (tax, wages, bank account, savings bond).
2. Use the agency’s official search or contact tool, entering your name, Social Security number, and relevant years if requested.
3. Follow instructions to verify your identity and complete any claim forms.

What to expect next:
Federal claims often require identity verification and may involve mailing or uploading documents; timelines vary by agency and complexity.

Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings

Anytime money and personal information are involved, take basic precautions.

Red flags that a site or service is not official:

• The site does not end in .gov but asks for your full Social Security number, bank details, or a fee to “unlock” your money.
• High-pressure language promising “guaranteed money”, exact amounts, or instant payment.
• Requests to pay upfront fees, “expediting fees,” or to share credit card/bank info just to search.

Safer practices:

• Use official government portals: state unclaimed property websites, USA.gov, IRS.gov, TreasuryDirect.gov, etc.
• If a private “finder” or company offers to help for a fee, know that the same search is usually free if you do it yourself through official sites. Some states regulate these services with caps on fees.
• When in doubt, you can call your state treasurer or unclaimed property office using a phone number listed on the official state .gov site and ask whether a website or letter you received is legitimate.

A simple phone script if you’re unsure:
“Hello, I’m calling to confirm whether this letter/website about unclaimed money in my name is legitimate and affiliated with your office.”

If You Hit a Problem or Don’t See Any Results

Not finding money on the first try doesn’t always mean there’s nothing owed to you; records may be under a different spelling or old address.

Common snags (and quick fixes)

• Name variations: Try searching with maiden names, nicknames, middle initials, and alternate spellings.
• Old addresses: If your name is common, include city or ZIP filters where available to narrow the results.
• Missing documents: If you no longer have old bills or statements, states often accept tax records, old pay stubs, or official mail showing the address.
• Deceased relatives’ property: Many states allow you to claim as an heir or executor, but they commonly require death certificates and estate or probate documents.

If you’re still stuck:

1. Contact the state unclaimed property office directly.

   • Explain what you’re trying to claim and which information you’re missing.
   • Ask what alternative documents they accept in cases like yours.

2. Ask how they handle disputes or corrections.

   • If you believe a record belongs to you but your claim is delayed or denied, states typically have a review or appeal process, which can involve submitting additional documents or a written explanation.

Does This Even Apply to Me?

Almost anyone who has had financial accounts, jobs, or bills over time might have unclaimed money, especially if:

• You’ve moved frequently or across states.
• You’ve had multiple bank accounts, credit cards, or insurance policies over the years.
• You changed your name, especially after marriage or divorce.
• You left a job and aren’t sure what happened to a final paycheck, pension, or 401(k).
• A relative passed away and had accounts or insurance you never fully closed or located.

Because unclaimed property rules, time limits, and claim procedures vary by state, it’s usually best to start with your current state’s unclaimed property office, then repeat the process for any other states where you’ve lived or worked.

Quick Summary: How to Find Unclaimed Money

• Start at your state’s official unclaimed property site (via unclaimed.org or a verified state .gov page).
• Search by name in every state where you’ve lived or worked, including old names and addresses.
• File a claim for each match that clearly belongs to you, and be ready to provide ID and proof of address.
• Check federal sources (IRS, Department of Labor, Treasury, FDIC/NCUA) for specific items like tax refunds, wages, or savings bonds.
• Use only official .gov sites, avoid fees and pressure tactics, and contact your state office if you’re unsure about a website, letter, or problem with a claim.

Once you’ve completed searches for your current and past states and the main federal sources, you’ve typically covered the major places where unclaimed money in your name would appear.