Have you ever considered if there are unclaimed funds in your name? Unclaimed funds is money left untouched and unrecovered by its rightful owner for a while due to reasons such as inheriting property but not knowing it or forgetting about a bank account. It might surprise you to know, however, that the US holds an estimated $58 billion of these lost assets. Therefore, how can you identify whether you have such money? Here are some tips:
 

1. Check State Unclaimed Property Databases

Unclaimed funds may be scattered across the country, with states holding on to forgotten money or other property. To make it easier to locate this forgotten cash, state governments provide a way to search for unclaimed funds using their databases. With increased technology, many of these databases have become conveniently searchable on the web, so you can easily track down your missing money.

A few mouse clicks can reveal funds that are rightfully yours to claim. It is worth checking the government-maintained databases even if you don't think that you have any owed funds.
 

2. Use Online Search Tools

Nowadays, you can use various online search tools to look for unclaimed funds and other valued assets. You don't have to pay anyone to do it for you. Simply using an online search engine like Google can help you find a few government websites offering free search services to locate lost funds and forgotten property.

For example, your local treasury department is a great starting point. Many states have special unclaimed funds departments with dedicated staff members who help citizens track down their lost money and property. The best part about these search tools is that everything is completely free, so all it costs is a bit of time and effort to get the answers you need.
 

3. Contact Financial Institutions and Government Agencies

It's worthwhile to take some time each year and contact financial institutions and government agencies to look into any unclaimed funds. A former employer might have left unclaimed money, or rebate checks you never received.

Billions of dollars remain in such accounts, waiting for their rightful owners to appear. Taking the initiative and contacting these organizations can help reunite you with your lost assets. Furthermore, many state-level websites make it easier than ever to investigate potential claims, so spend an hour or two doing some research and find out if any of this money belongs to you.


Once you've determined that you have unclaimed funds, it's time to claim them. Here's how to do it:

1. Gather Necessary Documentation
   
   Before claiming your lost money, you'll need to gather some important documents. It might include proof of identity in the form of a state ID or driver's license, a bank statement showing your name and account details, and proof of address. All these items will help support your claim and ensure that the money belongs to you.
    
2. Fill Out a Claim Form
   
   Once you've gathered all the necessary documentation, you'll need to fill out a claim form with the details of your lost money. The form usually includes information about the source of the funds, the date of deposit, and the amount you claim. Remember to read the fine print carefully and provide all the required information to speed up the process.
    
3. Submit Your Claim
   
   You'll need to submit your claim form for the appropriate authorities to review. It might be the state treasury department, a financial institution like a bank or credit union, or a government agency such as the IRS.
   
   After closely examining your claim, you will be informed whether or not it has been acknowledged. A check or any other payment method may be issued promptly if accepted. However, the holding authority might reject your claim for several reasons.
   
   In such cases, you can submit an appeal to the relevant organization. The appeal process may take several months, so you must be patient and persistent while you continue to search. Address the reasons that led to the rejection and resubmit your claim.

If you're looking to claim unclaimed funds, it's essential to be patient and persistent. Some claims can take several weeks or even months to process, so stay on top of the process and follow up regularly with the appropriate agencies. And remember, there is no charge or fee to claim unclaimed funds, so it's always worth researching to find out if you're owed any money.