Author Topic: PSA: Check your state's "Unclaimed Property" website for possible money  (Read 1846 times)

mrs sideways

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http://www.unclaimed.org/

Apologies if someone else has already posted this, but the forum search function didn't work. I think this is a great thing that not many people know about. I haven't found any money for me, but I have found a few hundred for my parents, over a thousand for my in-laws, and FIVE FIGURES of cash for a company I worked for.

What is "Unclaimed Property"?

It's money, owed to a person or business, where the company/person who owed it has turned it over to the state instead of finding the payee themselves.

Why does that happen?

Sometimes a company doesn't have your complete address, or spells your name wrong, or you don't cash a check, or they just don't want to bother so they hand it to the state and say "Hey, this is your problem now."

How do I search for money?

Check the website (above link) for your state, or any state you previously lived in.

What should I search for?

Your name, your name misspelled, your address, etc. And you shouldn't just search for you! Try your parents, grandparents, or your company! The longer a person or business has been around (and the less internet-savvy they are) the more likely it is that they'll have something due to them.

Is there a catch?

Well, since the state is involved, and they have to make sure it really is you asking for the money, prepared to fill out a lot of paperwork and possibly hit up a notary. Sorry. Still, the return (as an hourly rate of work) should be pretty good.

Good luck, everyone!
« Last Edit: November 10, 2015, 12:58:13 PM by mrs sideways »

Spork

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Re: PSA: Check your state's "Unclaimed Property" website for possible money
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2015, 11:50:02 AM »
yep... found $350 for in my dad's name last month.

Digital Dogma

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Re: PSA: Check your state's "Unclaimed Property" website for possible money
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2015, 12:37:20 PM »
Unfortunately my state requires a lot of sensitive documents be sent by mail (birth certificate, SS card copy, etc.) to claim your funds. So be prepared to fork over the good stuff and hope they dont release it all online due to incompetence.

runningthroughFIRE

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Re: PSA: Check your state's "Unclaimed Property" website for possible money
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2015, 12:51:50 PM »
Hah, I found an entry for my mom for "Under $100" from probably decades ago.  Should make for a funny call home later tonight.