How to Find Unclaimed Money Owed to Me

How can I find unclaimed money owed to me? Unclaimed assets are held by the state in which they were abandoned, and that's where you will need to begin your search.

Unclaimed money may include forgotten bank accounts, unused safety deposit box contents, insurance benefits, forgotten deposits paid on rental items and other sundry funds. You'll be surprised to find unclaimed money owed to you or family members --here's how.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Locate the website or phone number of your state comptroller, controller, or financial controller's office. You can start by using the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrator's main site and clicking on the U.S. state in which you live.

2. Search using your last name, maiden name, common mispellings, as well as the names of your immediate family members in case they have unclaimed money due to them as well.

3. Cross-check the unclaimed funds that match your name with the date, city or town and account type to make sure it really is yours.

4. Follow the detailed process laid out by your state administrator to claim your money. You will usually have to download a claim form and fill it out, then send it with a photo copy of your ID and any required supporting documents to the address provided.

5. Repeat the process for all states in which you have lived, and for any deceased family members for which you are an heir.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you have located unclaimed property or cash in your name, move quickly to claim it before any statue of limitations in effect expire and the money is handed over to the state government.

Resources

• FICO (c) Quarterly Monitoring