Search for Unclaimed Money
US states are holding an estimated $70 billion in forgotten money old bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, insurance payouts, utility deposits. Roughly 1 in 7 Americans have some waiting for them
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The process for claiming unclaimed money varies by state, as each state has its own rules and procedures. To get started, use the table below to find your state and click the corresponding link to visit its official unclaimed property website. From there, you can search for unclaimed funds and follow the state's instructions to submit your claim.
Get Your Documents in Order
To claim, you'll need to prove you're the rightful owner. Requirements vary by state, but most ask for:
- A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license
- Proof of your Social Security number (SSN card or a W-2)
- Proof of the address linked to the property — an old utility bill works well
- Proof of your current address
Some states accept copies; others require originals. Check your state's instructions before mailing anything
File Your Claim
Read your state's claim instructions carefully the process varies more than you'd expect. Some states accept online claims. Some require mail. Some allow online filing only under certain conditions California, for example, lets you file online if the amount is under $5,000 and you're the sole owner. Where property has multiple owners, each must sign a claim affirmation form and the money is split between them.
If you can't file online, you'll mail a claim form with your supporting documents. Claims above a threshold often need notarizing California's line is $1,000. Tip: most banks notarize free for customers.
Wait for Your Check
Timing varies widely two weeks to six months, depending on the state and the size of the claim. Online submissions are usually faster. Most rejections come from mismatched names or missing proof of address, not from fraud. If your claim is denied, you can usually re-file with better documentation
What Counts as Unclaimed Property?
Dormant checking and savings accounts
Uncashed paychecks and final wages
Insurance payouts and annuity proceeds
Utility and rental security deposits
Refunds and credit balances
Stocks, dividends and mutual fund accounts
Safe deposit box contents
Do You Have to Pay to Claim Unclaimed Money?
No. Searching and claiming through your state program is always free. Private "finders" or "asset locators" will offer to recover it for you and keep a cut. They're legal in most states, but unnecessary they run the same free search you can do in five minutes. State fee caps range from about 5% to 30%, with most clustering at 10-15%.
Many states also bar finders from charging at all for a period after money is turned over commonly 24 months. On a $2,000 claim, a 15% fee is $300 for filling in a form you could have filled in yourself.
Federal Money Not in State Databases
State searches won't find these. Check them separately:
Is Unclaimed Property a Scam?
The programs are real. The unsolicited messages usually aren't. The FTC warns that if a caller says time is running out, or a text claims the deadline was extended just for you, it's a scam. So is any request for personal details or an upfront "processing fee" to release your funds.
A real state program will never:
- Text or call you out of the blue with a dollar figure
- Ask for a fee to release your money
- Pressure you to act fast — states hold this money indefinitely
Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Is Unclaimed Money Taxable?
It depends what the money originally was.
You Found Money. Now What?
If a check arrives, the highest-return use is almost always paying down your highest-interest credit card. Putting $1,200 against a 24% APR card saves roughly $288 a year in interest — guaranteed, tax-free, and better than any investment return you can reliably count on.
Bon Credit is a free app that shows which of your balances is costing you the most, and what a lump-sum payment would do to your payoff date and your credit utilization. Bon Credit does not search for or claim unclaimed property. Use MissingMoney.com or your state's official site for that.
