Here’s a fact that will get your attention.
According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, 1 in 10 Americans have unclaimed property or money just sitting around somewhere. If you’re interested in learning how to find it, keep reading below. There’s a chance you can get your hands on some forgotten money or property.
Common Examples of Unclaimed Money
In most cases, unclaimed money comes from bank account funds, such as a forgotten checking or savings account. Other common examples of unclaimed money are uncashed paychecks, stocks, customer overpayments, security deposits, unused gift cards, and tax refunds. Now that you know these examples, let’s see how you can find this unclaimed money.
How To Find Unclaimed Money
The first step you want to take is to do a search on Unclaimed.org, which is a network that collects financial records across all 50 states. Each state will have a link to its own unclaimed property database. Avoid any other search engine that claims to be an official government resource for unclaimed money, as many of these sites are scams.
When searching on your state’s database, be sure to use both your current and maiden name if you got married or legally changed your last name. If no results are coming up, try using the first initial of your first name and your full last name as well. It helps to use a variety of search terms.
Claims Process
Every state has its own protocol when claiming money and property, but it’s usually easy to follow. Be ready to show proof of ownership for whatever you’re claiming. The most common examples are a pay stub, utility bill, or Social Security number. You will also need to be able to prove your identity, such as a copy of your driver’s license or passport.
Other Ways To Find Unclaimed Money
Even if you don’t have unclaimed money after doing a search on your state’s database, it’s still possible you have unclaimed funds that could be cashed in. Credit card rewards are a popular way people use their points to redeem for cash. If you use your credit card regularly, there’s a good chance you have earned enough points to redeem for cash.
Travel reward points are another way to find unclaimed money. Many popular banks such as Chase or Bank of America offer cash-back options for travel rewards. Money transfer apps like Venmo and Paypal are other good sources of finding unclaimed money.
Do The Search, Reap The Rewards
If you think you may have unclaimed money from any of the sources listed above, it’s definitely worth your time to search for it. Every little bit of unclaimed funds can go a long way, so see what may be out there waiting for you.
