How to Find Unclaimed Money in the United States

Are you aware that you may have unclaimed money waiting for you to claim it? According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA), there is about $42 billion in unclaimed funds held by state governments and other organizations. These funds include forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, utility deposits, insurance policies, and other types of unclaimed property.

If you think you may have unclaimed money waiting for you, don’t worry, you can easily find out. In this article, we will guide you through the process of finding unclaimed money in the United States.

Step 1: Check with the State Government

The first step is to check with the state government where you live or have lived before. The state government is responsible for holding unclaimed property until the rightful owner claims it. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Visit the state government’s unclaimed property website.
2. Enter your name or business name in the search box.
3. If there are any matches, follow the instructions to claim your property.

It’s important to note that each state has its own unclaimed property laws and regulations, so the process may vary slightly from state to state.

Step 2: Check with Federal Agencies

In addition to state governments, federal agencies also hold unclaimed funds. Here are some federal agencies to check with:

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS): If you’re owed a tax refund that was never delivered, you can contact the IRS to claim it.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): If you had an FHA-insured mortgage, you may be entitled to a refund on your insurance premium.
• U.S. Department of Labor: If you were a former employee of a company that went bankrupt or closed, you may be owed back wages or benefits.

Step 3: Check with Other Organizations

Aside from state governments and federal agencies, other organizations may hold unclaimed funds. Here are some examples:

• Banks and credit unions: If you had a savings account, checking account, or other type of account that has been inactive for a certain period of time, the funds may have been turned over to the state as unclaimed property.
• Insurance companies: If you had a life insurance policy or other type of insurance policy, the funds may be considered unclaimed if the policy matured or was terminated and you didn’t receive the proceeds.
• Utilities: If you paid a deposit to a utility company, such as an electric or gas company, and didn’t receive a refund when you closed your account, the funds may be considered unclaimed.

Tips for Searching for Unclaimed Money

• Use different variations of your name, including maiden names and nicknames.
• Check the unclaimed property databases of all the states where you have lived.
• Check with the unclaimed property division of each state even if you don’t think you have any unclaimed property there.
• Be cautious of companies that charge a fee to search for unclaimed property on your behalf. You can do the search yourself for free.

In conclusion, finding unclaimed money in the United States is easy if you know where to look. Start by checking with your state government and federal agencies, and then expand your search to other organizations. With a little effort, you may be able to claim the money that rightfully belongs to you.