How to Search for Unclaimed Money for Free on the Internet

If you've ever moved, there may be unclaimed money owed to you, especially if you didn't leave a forwarding address. Under current U.S. law, if money is unclaimed and its owner can't be found, the institution holding the money must transfer it to the government to be held in a trust fund. This is called "escheat." There are many websites on the Internet where you can search for this unclaimed money for free. You can also use these free search tools to get unclaimed money owed to your deceased relatives if you are their legal heir or beneficiary.

Instructions

1. Gather together information about what names you and your family members have gone under and where you have lived in the past. Also find the names and past addresses of deceased family members from whom you could inherit unclaimed money. Make a note of these names and addresses on a piece of paper.

2. Navigate to MissingMoney.com. This website, which is endorsed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, has a simple tool you can use to search for unclaimed money for free. In the field provided, type the last name of the person you believe may have unclaimed money owed to him, along with the name of a state that he has lived in. Click the "Go" button. Review the results which appear in the next window.

3. Visit your state government's website to use their free search tools and services for unclaimed money and property. You can find easy links to these resources on the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators website (Unclaimed.org.)

4. Go to the National Unclaimed Property Network website (NUPN.com) if you still haven't found your unclaimed money. Click the "Federal" link at the top of the page to find links to free unclaimed money and property search tools provided by federal government agencies such as the IRS, the Bureau of the Public Debt, the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Search these sites for unclaimed taxes, savings bonds, refunds and other unclaimed money. Click "Insurance" to find links to sites where you can do a free search for unclaimed insurance money.

5. Check UnclaimedAssets.com to find even more types of unclaimed money. On this website, you conduct a free search for unclaimed money from lost bank accounts, credit union accounts, safe deposit boxes, gift cards and certificates, social security benefits, pensions, retirement accounts and other dormant financial assets.