States have $70 billion in unclaimed assets. How to check if any is yours (2024)

FAQs

States have $70 billion in unclaimed assets. How to check if any is yours? ›

Most unclaimed money is held by state governments from sources such as bank accounts, insurance policies, or state agencies. Search for unclaimed money from your state's unclaimed property office. If you have lived in other states, check their unclaimed property offices, too.

www.unclaimed.org is the website of the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. This is a legitimate site created by state officials to help people search for funds that may belong to you or your relatives. Searches are free.

According to the last NAUPA survey in 2020, the state with the most unclaimed property is New York. At the time, New York had upwards of $17 billion in unclaimed property, 67% more than second-place California. It is widely believed that New York has the most unclaimed funds because of its global financial position.

Most states participate in MissingMoney.com—a free website, sponsored by NAUPA, from which you can search participating state's databases for unclaimed property.

Each state has unclaimed property in the form of uncashed checks, security deposits, overpayments, and more. You never know what you might find!

In the US, the general rule is that nobody, including the government, can search your financial records without your consent or a law authorizing the search. By the Fourth Amendment, such a law must be reasonable or it's unconstitutional.

The IRS probably already knows about many of your financial accounts, and the IRS can get information on how much is there. But, in reality, the IRS rarely digs deeper into your bank and financial accounts unless you're being audited or the IRS is collecting back taxes from you.

When reclusive Chicago resident Joseph Stancak passed away at 87, his neighbors were surprised to discover he was the “Millionaire Next Door." In fact, despite living like a miser, his estate is valued at $11 million — the largest unclaimed property amount in American history.

It has returned more than $4 billion in unclaimed property to its rightful owners since Texas' unclaimed property program began in 1962. The state is currently holding more than $8 billion in cash and other valuables through the program.

How to find unclaimed money 5 free ways to track down your lost or forgotten assets? ›

The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) is one such service, and NAUPA-endorsed MissingMoney.com is another unclaimed life insurance database worth checking out. State insurance department — You can also contact your state insurance department (insurance is regulated at the state level).

The State Controller's Office tells Patch that $11.9 billion in unclaimed funds belong in the hands of Californians, and the average person was owed $433 last year. "Personally, I have had claims over the years from forgotten accounts and utility services," said Monique Langer, an Assistant Deputy Controller.

About 1 in 7 people — 33 million altogether — collectively have an estimated $70 billion worth of unclaimed property being held by state treasurers, according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.

Search for matured savings bonds and missing interest using Treasury Hunt, an online tool from TreasuryDirect.

Over 30 million people in the United States have unclaimed property that they have either forgotten about or never knew was theirs, according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, which is a part of the National Association of State Treasurers.

You can start checking on the status of you return within 24 hours after the IRS received your e-filed return, or four weeks after mailing a paper return. Generally, the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, but some may take longer. On the go? Track your refund status using the free IRS2Go app.

If you think the government has unclaimed money or property for which you are the rightful owner, see our page in the Help Center on Unclaimed money and assets. This page is for agencies that must report unclaimed money. Treasury manages the Unclaimed Moneys account, 20X6133.

Your Online Account: Securely access your individual IRS account online to view the total of your first, second and third Economic Impact Payment amounts under the “Economic Impact Payment Information” section on the Tax Records page. IRS EIP notices: We mailed these notices to the address we have on file.

A government grant is a financial award given by a federal, state, or local government authority for a beneficial project. It is effectively a transfer payment.