Finding Out About Your
Lost Money
So how can you find out if there's
money waiting for you? Very simply. If you think there
might be unclaimed property that belongs to you, call
or write to the unclaimed property office in each state
in which you or your deceased relatives have ever lived.
A list of the addresses of state unclaimed property
offices appears below. It is a good idea to check with
these offices every five years, even if you are certain
that you haven't lost any property.
The unclaimed property office will
ask for your name (including your maiden or former names),
your Social Security number, current address, and all
previous addresses where you lived while in the state.
They will want the same information about any other
individual for whom you're the legal beneficiary.
The unclaimed property office will
use this information to check their database. If there's
a match, they'll send you a form to fill out. You'll
have to provide proof
- that you are who you say you are
(a photocopy of your driver's license will do),
- that you resided at the address
you provided (a bill showing your name at the address
or a copy of your tax return showing the address),
and
- that the money is yours (a pay stub,
bank book, utility bill, or similar documentation
of a connection between you and the money).
If money is in someone else's name,
you will also have to supply proof that you're the beneficiary,
such as a copy of the deceased's will.
Once you submit the claim form,
it should take about two months for you to get the check. Even if you don't find any money, you should continue
to check with the unclaimed property offices every few
years. Sometimes the money takes a while before it is turned over to the unclaimed property
office.
| Claim
Tips |
|
| What is a claim? |
When you find a match, you must
complete a claim form. Most states require a specific
form which asks pertinent information about the
property and proof of ownership, such as copies
of checkbook, passbook, bonds, etc.
|
| How do I file a claim? |
Follow the instructions to complete
the form and supply any necessary documentation
and identification. These are then mailed to the
appropriate state for processing. Please be patient.
|
| What do I do if I
have questions about a claim that I've already submitted? |
Contact the state where you mailed
your claim. Remember due to claims processing activity
and significant work done to ensure funds are returned
to rightful owners, you must allow ample time for
your claim to be processed.
|
| What type of documents
do I need to claim my money? |
These are covered in the claim
instruction form on this site and may include copies
of checkbooks, wills, bonds, social security numbers,
previous address information, etc.
|
| How do these accounts
or property become unclaimed? |
Often the owner forgets the account
exists, moves and does not leave a forwarding address.
In some cases, the owner dies and the heirs have
no knowledge the property exists.
|
Why do States have
unclaimed property laws?
|
Laws were enacted to prevent business
owners from using your money and taking it into
their income.
|
| What attempts are
made to find owners? |
Most states require businesses
to send a notice to the last known address informing
you that your account will be transferred to the
state for safe keeping. Most states publish the
names of missing owners in county newspapers in
an effort to return unclaimed property.
|
| Do I get interest
on my unclaimed property? |
Most states pay interest on interest
bearing accounts only such as a savings accounts,
however you should check with your state's unclaimed
property department for specific information. |
|