How to Spot Unclaimed Money Scams

Get Your Money Free

Unclaimed money is an increasingly hot issue. Since information is every increasingly available to those who know how to look, that information is up for sale.

Unclaimed money is money owed to you that couldn't find its way to you for reasons such as a move without forwarding address, a missing number on an address, or some other faux pas in the sending machine of mail.

Follow these steps to get your unclaimed money for free, and avoid unclaimed money scams.

Instructions

1. FIND THE UNCLAIMED MONEY SITE FOR THE STATES YOU HAVE LIVED IN.

   You can do this with a simple google search such as 'unclaimed money North Carolina.' The first few hits will be companies that want your money. So look at the actual address as well as the site name. If you find one that *looks* legitimate click on it. Then make sure there is proof that this is a government sponsored sight. It should be a subsite of the department of the State Treasurer or some other such office.

2. PLUG IN YOUR LAST NAME AND FIRST NAME INTO THE SEARCH ENGINE.

   This should generate a list of all of the unclaimed property or cash that is connected with your name in that state. Look for the city, state, and street addresses at which you lived in that state. If you find claims, that money is yours.

3. SUBMIT THE CLAIM FORM WITH THE PROPER DOCUMENTATION.

   This claim is FREE. You don't have to pay for this kind of thing. If you do, it will be a miniscule government paperwork fee. No lawyers needed. No second party company needed. You just send in the paper work, wait forever since it is government, and then receive your check. Period. The best way to avoid money scams: get things for free.

4. DON'T PAY ANOTHER COMPANY MONEY FOR THE JOB OR THE INFORMATION.

   Some companies are outright money scams and ask for your money or your social security number up front. Others are legitimate businesses that take as much as 20% of the claim for the service they offer. You don't need either one.

   See more tips and warnings below on unclaimed money.

Tips & Warnings

• Search in each state in which you have lived.

• Be sure to find proof of your address that the government will accept.

• Never give out your social security number to a company who searches for unclaimed money. They don't need it.

• Avoid paying for things you can easily find for free.

• If it isn't worth the hassle to you, and you want to pay a fee to get unclaimed money, don't pay up front.