Find Unclaimed Money: Federal and State Resources

What counts as unclaimed money

When a business or bank can't reach you, it usually has to turn the money over to the state after a set period. USAGov says that if a business, financial institution or government owes you money you did not collect, it's considered unclaimed money or property. State governments hold most of it.

• Closed or dormant bank and credit union accounts
• Uncashed paychecks, refund checks and vendor payments
• Utility and rental deposits you never got back
• Insurance payouts, including life insurance benefits
• Stocks, dividends and other investment accounts
• Contents of safe deposit boxes

How to search, step by step

Start with MissingMoney.com. It's the multistate search endorsed by NAUPA, the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. NAUPA says that if there is a match in any participating state, MissingMoney.com links you to that state's official program.

Then search each state directly. NAUPA's site, unclaimed.org, links to every state's official program, and our table below lists them all. A direct state search is a good double check, since not every record shows up in every search.

Search a few ways. Try your full name, your maiden or former names, common misspellings and initials, and every city you've lived in. Search for a business you own or owned, too.

Check every state you've lived or worked in

Your money may be held by a different state than the one you live in now, so check each state where you've lived, worked, banked or owned a business. USAGov gives the same advice: if you've lived in other states, check their unclaimed property offices too.

Federal sources to check

There's no single place to search for all unclaimed money. USAGov points to separate federal tools for each type. These are the ones we'd check:

• Pensions from a former employer: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has a free unclaimed retirement benefits search (opens in a new tab) for people owed a benefit when a private-sector plan ended.
• Workplace retirement plans you lost track of: the Department of Labor's Retirement Savings Lost and Found (opens in a new tab) shows retirement plans linked to you and how to contact each plan administrator. You sign in with an identity-verified Login.gov account.
• Unpaid wages: the Department of Labor's Workers Owed Wages (opens in a new tab) search lists back wages an employer may owe you.
• Failed banks: the FDIC's unclaimed funds search (opens in a new tab) covers money from closed FDIC-insured banks. You can search by name, business name or check number.
• Closed credit unions: the NCUA lists unclaimed deposits (opens in a new tab) from liquidated federally insured credit unions.
• Investor payouts: the SEC posts distributions to harmed investors (opens in a new tab), including Fair Fund cases, if you lost money in a case the SEC brought.
• VA life insurance: the Department of Veterans Affairs has an unclaimed insurance funds search (opens in a new tab) for certain older VA life insurance policies. VA notes it doesn't include SGLI or VGLI policies from 1965 to the present.
• Federal tax refunds: use the IRS Where's My Refund? (opens in a new tab) tool if a refund never arrived. If you moved, update your address with Form 8822 (opens in a new tab). If you never filed for a year, the IRS says you usually have three years to file and claim a refund before the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.
• Savings bonds: TreasuryDirect says its Treasury Hunt tool is no longer available as of September 30, 2025. If you think you have an unredeemed lost, stolen or destroyed savings bond, TreasuryDirect explains how to file a claim with FS Form 1048 (opens in a new tab).
• Bankruptcy cases: the U.S. Courts Unclaimed Funds Locator (opens in a new tab) finds money owed to you after a person or business went through bankruptcy.
• One page with all of these: USAGov keeps a list at usa.gov/unclaimed-money (opens in a new tab).

Lost life insurance and deceased relatives

If a parent, spouse or other relative has died, search their name in each state where they lived, too. USAGov says you may be able to claim money that was owed to a deceased relative if you're their legal heir. The state will ask for proof, such as a death certificate and documents showing you're the heir or the estate's representative.

To look for a life insurance policy or annuity, use the free NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator (opens in a new tab) from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Participating insurance companies search their records and contact you if they find a match. Our survivor money checklist covers the other steps after a death.

Official unclaimed property programs by state

How to claim what you find

• Start the claim on the official state site. NAUPA says this can usually be done online as part of the search.
• Send the proof the state asks for. NAUPA says that usually means proof of identity, such as a copy of your driver's license or passport, and proof you owned the property, such as an old pay stub or utility bill showing the address on file.
• Wait for processing. Times vary by state; NAUPA says some states finish in under 30 days.
• Get paid by check or deposit, or receive the item itself if it's tangible property.
• Keep copies of everything you send, and write down your claim number.

Never pay a finder fee to search

NAUPA says it's free to search for and claim your unclaimed property when you use your state's official program. Some companies, called finders or locators, send letters offering to recover your money for a percentage. NAUPA says these services are often legal but never required, and some states limit what they can charge.

Never pay a finder fee just to search. Look yourself on the official site first. Be wary of anyone who asks for an upfront fee, a gift card or a payment app transfer, or who pressures you to sign right away. Real state programs don't charge to search or claim. For more warning signs, see our guide to money scams to avoid.