How to Find Lost Money Owed to the Public From the Government

Government agencies have over $32 billion of missing money as of 2010.

Money owed to you can sometimes end up unclaimed in a government bank account. For example, you may have forgotten to report a change of address or you had a name change after getting married or divorced. Other ways you may lose money include unclaimed bank accounts and stocks and unclaimed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) refunds. Money often becomes lost when someone dies without an up-to-date will.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Telephone
• Printer (optional)

Instructions

Missing Money Search

1. Visit the website of the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrator (NAUPA). NAUPA works with the National Association of State Treasurers and the Council of State Governments.

2. Click on a U.S. state or province you lived in during your lifetime. This takes you directly to the website of your selected state or province.

3. Locate and click on the link on the state or province website to search property and claims.

4. Follow the directions to search for unclaimed property. You will need to enter your full name or just your last name and city you lived in. If the results show the government owes you money, you may need to fill out another form and mail it in or enter your social security number to receive more details. Some sites offer phone numbers of the state treasury for you to call and receive details and forms.

Pension Search

1. Visit the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. (PBGC) website if you believe you have pension benefits coming to you from your pension plan or as a beneficiary from a deceased person who had a pension.

2. Click on the Pension Search Directory on the PBGC website.

3. Enter your last name or company name or the last name or company name of the participant to start a search. You can also enter just the state you lived in and search among the list of names it produces.

4. Contact the PBGC if your name or the deceased person's name comes up. Call 800-326-5678 Monday through Friday or write the PBGC at:

   The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
   P.O. Box 151750
   Alexandria, VA 22315-9923

5. Give the PBGC your name, social security number, mailing address, telephone numbers for the daytime and evening, company name and when you worked for that company.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

1. Visit the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) website to search for insured deposits you made for closed financial institutions between January 1, 1989 and June 28, 1993.

2. Read the FDIC disclaimer then enter and submit your name, business name or the check number of the official item. You can also enter the failed institution name and the city and state of the failed institution.

3. Download, print and complete the FDIC form for claiming your money.

4. Take your completed form to a notary public and have it notarized.

5. Mail the completed, notarized form with the FDIC reference number from the database online to:

   FDIC
   Attn: Claims Department--Unclaimed Funds
   1601 Bryan St
   Dallas, TX 75201

   An FDIC representative will contact you up to 30 days after they receive your form. The representative will contact you by telephone, in writing or may simply send a check.

Veterans Affairs Insurance Funds

1. Visit the website of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs if you believe you have unclaimed insurance funds owed to you as a beneficiary of a deceased veteran or as a current veteran. Sometimes Veteran Affairs could not locate you to pay you money or the post office returned the checks as undeliverable.

2. Enter your name as a veteran or the deceased veteran's name in the name search box. Enter the date of birth and veteran's date of death and click on "Submit."

3. Call the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at 877-294-6380 if your name or the deceased veteran's name appears as having unclaimed insurance funds. You can also try adding nicknames, maiden names or a veteran's file number in your search if no results appear.

References

• USA: Government May Owe You Money
• National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrator: Search by State
• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.: Help with Pension Search
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: Unclaimed Funds
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Unclaimed Insurance Funds: Search By Name

Resources

• NAUPA: Start Your Free Search for Money That Might Be Due You
• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.: Who Are We Looking For?
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: Unclaimed Funds
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Unclaimed Insurance Funds: Search Page
• IRS: IRS Sending Stimulus Payment Information to Retirees, Veterans