How To Find Unclaimed Money That May Belong to You

Finding unclaimed money usually starts with searching government databases for your name and past addresses, then following each agency’s process to prove your identity and claim the funds. HowToGetAssistance.org provides general information only; you must use official government websites or offices to search for and claim money.

Most unclaimed money comes from things like closed bank accounts, refund checks that were never cashed, utility deposits, or old employer benefits. States and federal agencies typically hold this money until the rightful owner claims it.

Quick Summary: Where to Look for Unclaimed Money

Start with your state’s unclaimed property office (search by your current and past states of residence).
Search federal tools for unclaimed tax refunds, savings bonds, or pension benefits.
Check old employers’ retirement plans and insurance companies if you know you had policies or 401(k)s.
Use only official .gov or state-run sites; avoid any service that demands a fee up front.
Be ready to prove your identity with ID, Social Security Number, and documents linking you to old addresses.

1. Fast Answer: The Main Places to Search

To find unclaimed money, start with your state unclaimed property program, then check a few key federal databases.

State unclaimed property

Every U.S. state (plus D.C. and some territories) has an unclaimed property office, usually within the state treasurer, comptroller, or revenue department. These offices hold:

Bank and credit union accounts
Utility deposits and refunds
Uncashed checks and money orders
Insurance payouts
Some investment or brokerage accounts

Because programs vary by state, the name and website will differ. A typical path is: search “[Your State] unclaimed property” and confirm you are on a state government site (usually ending in .gov).

Federal-level searches

Some money is held by federal agencies, not states. Common places to check include:

IRS tax refunds (past refunds that never reached you): Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” or “View Your Account” tool at irs.gov.
Pension or retirement benefits from old employers: Search the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s “Missing Participants” or “Unclaimed Pensions” databases at pbgc.gov.
U.S. savings bonds (if you or relatives bought bonds years ago and lost track): The Treasury’s information is at treasurydirect.gov.
Credit union failures: The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) lists unclaimed deposits at ncua.gov.

You can use all of these searches; they do not conflict.

2. What You’ll Need Ready Before You Search

Most unclaimed money systems rely on matching your identity and address history, not detailed paperwork up front. Having basic information ready makes it faster.

Key information commonly required:

Full legal name (and previous names, such as maiden names)
Current and past addresses, including ZIP codes if possible
Date of birth
Social Security Number (SSN) (sometimes optional for the initial search but often required to claim)

When you actually file a claim, you’ll usually be asked to upload or mail supporting documents like:

Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
Proof of address for the period when the money was created (old bill, lease, mortgage statement, W-2, or tax return)
Proof of name change if your current name doesn’t match (marriage certificate, court order)
Legal documents for estates or businesses (letters testamentary, death certificate, incorporation papers) if you’re claiming for someone else or a company

Short terms callout:

Unclaimed property – Money or assets held by a government agency after the owner cannot be reached.
Escheat – The legal process where unclaimed property is turned over to the state.
Heir claim – A claim filed by a relative or legal representative of a deceased owner.

3. Step‑by‑Step: How to Search and File a Claim

This is a typical sequence for someone living in the United States; details vary by state.

Step 1: Search state unclaimed property databases

List every state where you’ve lived or worked.
Go to each state’s official unclaimed property site. Look for a .gov address and a connection to the treasurer, comptroller, or similar office.
Run a free search using:
- Your current name
- Any previous names
- Optionally, your city or ZIP for a narrower result
Review results carefully. Each listing usually shows a name, last-known address, holder (like a bank or insurer), and sometimes an approximate amount or category.

What to expect next: Some states let you start a claim online directly from the search result; others may require downloading a form or mailing documents.

Step 2: File claims for matches that belong to you

Select the property records that match your name and old address.
Start the claim (often a button like “File a Claim” or “Claim This Property”).
Enter your contact details: current mailing address, phone, and email.
Provide identifying information: date of birth and, in many cases, the last 4 digits of your SSN.

What to expect next: The system typically shows a list of required documents; you’ll either upload them online or mail copies. Processing times vary widely by state and claim size, and no outcome is guaranteed.

Step 3: Submit documentation

Gather the exact documents listed (ID, proof of address, proof of name change, estate papers, etc.).
Follow the instructions precisely about whether to upload, mail photocopies, or get forms notarized.
Write down your claim number if one is given.

What to expect next: You may receive an email or letter confirming your claim is under review. Some states let you check claim status on their website using your claim number.

Step 4: Search key federal databases

After state searches, check federal sources:

IRS refunds: At irs.gov, use “Where’s My Refund?” or access your IRS account to see if a prior refund was issued but not received.
Pensions: Use PBGC’s “Search for Unclaimed Pensions” at pbgc.gov, entering your name and former employer.
Savings bonds and Treasury accounts: Search and review information at treasurydirect.gov; some older bonds may require a paper form to claim.

What to expect next: Each federal agency has its own claim process, which may include paper forms, identity verification, or notarized signatures.

4. Common Snags (and Quick Fixes)

A common reason claims are delayed is mismatched information—for example, a slightly different name spelling than what appears on your ID.

Common snags (and quick fixes):

Name changes or misspellings – Submit proof of name change and, if allowed, a note explaining the discrepancy.
No proof of old address – Use alternative documents like old tax returns, voter registration, or pay stubs that show both your name and the address.
Claiming for a deceased relative – Be ready to provide a death certificate and documents showing you are the executor, heir, or legal representative.
Multiple people with the same name – Use middle initials, date of birth, and exact past addresses to show the property is yours.

If a website is unclear, a short script you can adapt when calling a state office is: “I’m calling about an unclaimed property claim under my name. I want to confirm what documents you need to verify my identity and old address.”

5. Costs, Deadlines, and Scam Warnings

Costs and time limits

Searching official unclaimed property and federal sites is typically free.
States usually do not charge a fee to process a standard unclaimed property claim.
Some property types, such as old retirement accounts, may involve tax consequences or financial institution fees, which are handled by those institutions, not the unclaimed property office.
In many states, most unclaimed property does not expire once it reaches the state, but deadlines can apply before it is turned over to the state (for example, a time limit to cash an original check). Always read the details shown with the property record.

Scam and safety guidance

Because these searches involve your identity and possible payments, be cautious:

Only use official government sites (usually .gov or clearly linked from a state treasurer/revenue site).
Avoid services that demand an up-front fee or a percentage of your money in exchange for “finding” property you can search for yourself. Some “finders” or “heir location” services are legal but optional; you are not required to use them.
Do not share your full SSN, bank account, or ID photos with any site that is not clearly an official government portal.
Be skeptical of unsolicited calls, emails, or texts claiming you have unclaimed money and asking for immediate payment or sensitive data.

If you are unsure whether a site or letter is legitimate, you can typically verify by:

Finding your state’s treasurer/comptroller/unclaimed property office separately through a search that leads to a .gov site.
Calling the official phone number listed there and asking whether the contact you received is genuine.

6. If You’re Stuck or Nothing Shows Up

If searches show no results but you suspect money is out there, or if your claim seems stalled, you still have options.

If nothing shows up in searches:

Double-check every name variation you have used.
Search in every state where you lived, worked, or attended school, plus states where major employers were based.
If you know the original holder (bank, employer, insurer), contact them directly to ask whether any accounts or checks were turned over to a state.

If your claim is delayed or unclear:

Contact the unclaimed property office and refer to your claim number.
Ask specifically: “Is any additional documentation needed to move my claim forward?”
If requested, send documents using a trackable method and keep copies for your records.

Once you’ve completed state and federal checks and submitted any claims with the required documentation, your main job is to monitor for updates through the official portals or letters and respond quickly to any requests for more information.