Unclaimed Funds
Unclaimed funds can come from a variety of sources like opening a bank account and then forgetting about it, moving without getting the utility deposit back, forgetting to cash a health insurance check, neglecting to cash interest or dividend checks on a mutual fund, leaving a job and never going back to get your last paycheck, or forgetting to cash a tax refund check.
If money or property hasn't been claimed for a set period of time, usually between two and five years, state law requires banks, insurance companies, utilities, and other businesses to turn dormant savings accounts, unclaimed insurance and stock dividends, and other inactive holdings over to the State.
The Office of the New York State Comptroller's Office of Unclaimed Funds is responsible for holding unclaimed funds until the rightful owner claims it. The Comptroller's Office never charges a fee for returning unclaimed funds.
How to Search for Unclaimed Funds
The Office of the New York State Comptroller's Office of Unclaimed Funds has a website where you can search for lost money.
- Go to the Office of Unclaimed Funds website at https://www.osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds and click on "Search Now"
- On the "Search for Lost Money" page, type in the person's last name and first name under "Search for an Individual" (Search Tips)
If the owner of the unclaimed fund has died, you can request a certificate from the Surrogate's Court giving you permission to access the unclaimed property or, if the value of the property must be known to make the certificate request, find out the value of the unclaimed property.
When submitting a claim, the Office of Unclaimed Funds requires documents like the certificate from the Surrogate's Court, a copy of the death certificate, and proof of address or ownership that connects the owner to the address or funds.
About the Office of Unclaimed Funds
The New York State Comptroller's Office of Unclaimed Funds never charges a fee for processing a claim or returning unclaimed funds. However, Abandoned Property Location Service Providers may contact you, and they do charge a fee. The maximum fee they can charge you for helping you recover your money is 15 percent.
The Office of Unclaimed Funds website has more information to help you submit a claim:
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