Feb 22, 2026
What if someone told you that you had unclaimed cash sitting in a U.S. state government account? If it sounds too good to be true, you may be surprised.
According to American Fund Recovery, more than $70 billion in unclaimed property is being held nationwide. This affects about 1 in 7 Americans, or roughly 33 million people (1).
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In the fiscal year 2024 alone, states returned a record $4.49 billion to rightful owners, but there’s still tens of billions remaining, including another $32 billion in unclaimed U.S. Savings Bonds.
So while it may be hard to believe, there’s a massive pile of real money already owned by everyday Americans, just waiting to be claimed.
Where does unclaimed money come from?
Unclaimed, or “abandoned” property, is money or assets left untouched in accounts for at least a year (2). It typically comes from ordinary financial activity that gets lost over time, which can include:
- Old bank or credit union accounts
- Uncashed checks or refunds
- Insurance payouts
- Traveler’s checks
- Dividends or stock accounts
- Contents of safe deposit boxes
Money can become “unclaimed” when a business or government agency loses contact with the owner. That can happen if someone:
- Moves and doesn’t update their address
- Changes their name (marriage, divorce)
- Closes an account and forgets about it
- Dies without heirs knowing about their assets
After a period of inactivity, these funds are turned over to state governments under “escheat” laws, which require states to safeguard the property until the owner or their heirs come forward.
Billions of dollars sit untouched every year because people don’t know where to look, so some states are actively encouraging residents to search.
According to Newsweek, Maine is holding nearly $395 million in unclaimed property and recently declared an official “Unclaimed Property Week.”
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Michigan returned $164 million last year and more than $675 million over five years.
Colorado even displayed unclaimed items from its treasury vault to raise awareness (3).
Maybe you’ve heard about unclaimed money but think it’s too late to claim it. One of the biggest myths about unclaimed property is that it “expires” after a certain number of years; but states are legally required to hold unclaimed property indefinitely.
With living costs squeezing everyday household budgets, inflation and high interest rates, unclaimed money could be an unexpected cash boost that you didn’t even know you had.
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How to check if you’re owed money
Checking for unclaimed money is legitimate, quick and free.
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The federal government recommends searching through state databases, since states hold most unclaimed funds.
The simplest way is to go to MissingMoney.com which is a free site sponsored by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA).
It’s as simple as running a search for your name and state. The site links directly to official state government portals where you can submit a claim.
To improve your chances of finding something, don’t forget to search:
- Past names (maiden names, hyphenated names)
- Old addresses
- Initials or name variations
- Deceased relatives (parents, grandparents)
Many claims are found by heirs who didn’t realize an account or asset even existed.
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But there are some risks to watch out for.
There are third-party organizations that offer a paid service to search for you, but it’s important to remember that all the information is available free of charge so you can access it yourself.
To avoid getting scammed or paying more than necessary, remember:
- Official searches are always free
- State governments never charge fees to claim your money
- You never need to pay anyone to “unlock” or “release” funds
- If someone contacts you asking for money upfront to recover your assets, that’s a red flag
- Avoid signing a contract with these types of third parties and watch for any companies that charge more than 10 percent of the value of the assets (4)
In a tough financial climate, it may be one of the simplest ways to bank some extra cash.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
American Fund Recovery (1); National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (2); Newsweek (3); Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (4)
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Jessica is a freelance writer with a professional background in economic development and small business consulting. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Sociology and is completing her Publishing Certificate.
