If you have a feeling there's money out there with your name on it — a forgotten bank account, an uncashed cheque, an old security deposit, a pension from a previous employer — you're probably right. In the US alone, states are holding over $70 billion in unclaimed property belonging to more than 1 in 10 Americans. Finding it is free, takes minutes, and you can claim it back at any time. Here's exactly how.
Where to Search for Unclaimed Money Owed to You
There is no single database that covers everything. Unclaimed money is spread across state governments, federal agencies, and private institutions. Work through each of these sources — all searches are free:
1. Your State's Unclaimed Property Database
Every US state runs a free unclaimed property database. This is where banks, insurance companies, employers, and landlords are required to send dormant accounts and uncashed cheques. Search your current state and every state where you've lived or worked.
Find your state: unclaimed.org (NAUPA official) · missingmoney.com (multi-state search)
2. IRS — Unclaimed Tax Refunds
The IRS holds billions in unclaimed federal tax refunds every year. If you didn't file a return in a year when you were owed a refund, you have 3 years from the original filing deadline to claim it. Check your refund status and any outstanding refunds at irs.gov/refunds.
irs.gov/refunds
3. PBGC — Lost Pension from a Former Employer
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is the federal insurer for private-sector pension plans. If your former employer's pension plan was terminated or went bankrupt, the PBGC may be holding pension payments owed to you. Search by name at pbgc.gov/workers-retirees/find-unclaimed-retirement-benefits.
pbgc.gov/workers-retirees/find-unclaimed-retirement-benefits
4. Social Security Administration — Benefits Owed
You may be owed Social Security benefits you haven't claimed — either because you forgot to apply, applied at the wrong time, or have a deceased relative's benefits owed to the estate. Check your Social Security statement at ssa.gov/myaccount and contact the SSA if you believe benefits were missed.
ssa.gov/myaccount · ssa.gov/benefits
5. HUD — FHA Mortgage Insurance Refunds
If you had an FHA-insured mortgage and paid mortgage insurance premiums, you may be owed a refund when the loan was paid off or refinanced. HUD maintains a database of owed refunds searchable by your name.
entp.hud.gov/dsrs/refunds/
6. Department of Labor — Unpaid Wages
The US Department of Labor holds funds collected from employers who violated wage and hour laws — unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, and similar. If a former employer was investigated, there may be money for you.
webapps.dol.gov/wow/ (Workers Owed Wages database)
7. FDIC — Failed Bank Deposits
If you had money in a bank that failed and your claim was never submitted, the FDIC may still have a record. The FDIC's failed bank list shows all US bank failures since 2000.
fdic.gov/resources/resolutions/bank-failures
Step-by-Step: How to Search for Money Owed to You
- 1Start with our free tool: Use the search tool at the top of this page — it searches dozens of state and government databases simultaneously in one step. Enter your full name as it appears on official documents.
- 2Search every state you've lived in: Go to missingmoney.com for a multi-state search, then visit the state website directly for any state where you lived more than 1–2 years.
- 3Search under previous names: If you've changed your name (marriage, divorce), search under your previous legal names as well. Unclaimed property is often filed under the name the account was originally opened with.
- 4Search for deceased relatives: You may be entitled to claim property on behalf of a deceased parent, grandparent, or spouse. Search under their name as well — you'll need to provide proof of relationship and death certificate when claiming.
- 5Check federal agencies separately: Visit IRS.gov, PBGC.gov, SSA.gov, and the DOL Workers Owed Wages database. These are not covered by state searches.
- 6File claims for everything you find: Each state and agency has its own claims process. Collect your identification, proof of your former address, and any documentation of the original account or property.
What Types of Unclaimed Money Might Be Owed to You?
The most common types of unclaimed property owed to individuals:
- Dormant bank accounts — savings or checking accounts with no activity for 3–5 years. Banks are required to hand these over to the state.
- Uncashed cheques — payroll cheques, insurance settlements, security deposit refunds, dividend cheques, tax refunds.
- Life insurance policies — insurers must search for beneficiaries; if they can't locate them, the death benefit goes to the state.
- Pension and retirement accounts — former employer pension plans, especially from companies that have since been acquired or gone out of business.
- Utility deposits — security deposits paid to utility companies when you first connected service, often forgotten when you move.
- Safe deposit box contents — banks hand over the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes to the state.
- Stock and brokerage accounts — inactive brokerage accounts, including fractional shares and dividends that were never collected.
- Cryptocurrency on exchanges — some states now require exchanges to remit dormant crypto accounts. See our guide to unclaimed crypto laws.
Can I Find Unclaimed Money Using My Social Security Number?
State unclaimed property databases use name and address as the primary search method — not Social Security number. The SSN is used to verify your identity when you claim, not to search. However, some federal databases do allow SSN-based lookups:
- The PBGC can search for lost pensions by SSN
- The IRS uses your SSN to identify your tax refund status
- The SSA uses your SSN to access your benefits record
Be cautious of any website that asks for your full Social Security number just to search — legitimate state unclaimed property databases do not require your SSN to perform a search. Only provide it when you've already found a match and are completing an official claim form.
How to Claim Money Once You've Found It
Each state has its own claims process, but the general steps are consistent:
- 1Find the specific property record: Note the property type, approximate amount, and the holder (company that last had it).
- 2File an online claim: Most states allow you to file online. You'll need to verify your identity — typically by providing your date of birth, last known address at the time of the account, and a government-issued ID.
- 3Upload supporting documents: Government ID, proof of address (old utility bills, lease agreements), and for deceased relatives, a death certificate and proof of your relationship to the deceased.
- 4Wait for processing: Simple claims typically take 4–8 weeks. More complex claims (estates, name changes, missing documentation) may take 3–6 months.
- 5Receive payment: Most states send payment by cheque or direct bank transfer. There is no fee to claim.
Never pay anyone to find or claim unclaimed money on your behalf. The search is free. The claim is free. Any company charging a "recovery fee" before you've received your funds is either a scam or charging for something you could do yourself for nothing. Some states do allow licensed "finders" to charge a fee for locating property, but only after you've received payment — never upfront.
Search for Your Unclaimed Money Now — Free
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Start Free Search →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find unclaimed money owed to me?
The fastest method is to search your state's unclaimed property database (every US state has one, all free) and MissingMoney.com, which covers most states in one search. Also check the IRS for unclaimed tax refunds, the PBGC for lost pensions, and the Department of Labor's Workers Owed Wages database. All searches are free — you should never pay to search.
Can I find unclaimed money using my Social Security number?
State unclaimed property databases are searched by name and address, not Social Security number. However, certain federal databases do use SSN: the PBGC can search for lost pensions by SSN, and the IRS uses your SSN to track unclaimed tax refunds. Never provide your full SSN to a third-party website just to search — legitimate state unclaimed property sites do not require it.
Is there a national database of unclaimed money owed to me?
There is no single truly national database, but MissingMoney.com (operated by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators) searches most US states simultaneously. For federal money — IRS refunds, Social Security, veteran benefits, pension insurance — you need to search each federal agency separately. Our free tool at CryptoAndMoneySearch.com combines many of these into one search.
How long does it take to claim unclaimed money owed to me?
Simple state unclaimed property claims with clear documentation typically take 4–8 weeks to process. Claims requiring documentation of a deceased relative's estate can take 3–6 months. There is no deadline — your money is held indefinitely, and claiming is always free regardless of how old the property is.
Do I need to use a company to find unclaimed money?
No. You can search and claim unclaimed money entirely on your own for free. While some licensed "finders" can legally assist in locating property for a percentage fee (typically 10–30%), they can only charge after you've received your money — never upfront. Any company asking for payment before you receive your funds is either a scam or offering an unnecessary service.