California’s Unclaimed Property Law requires banks, insurance companies, corporations, and certain other entities to report and submit their customers’ property to the State Controller’s Office when there has been no activity for a period of time (generally three years). Common types of unclaimed property are bank accounts, stocks, bonds, uncashed checks, insurance benefits, wages, and safe deposit box contents. Property does not include Real Estate. Controller Betty Yee safeguards this lost or forgotten property as long as it takes to reunite it with the rightful owners; there is no deadline for claiming it once it is transferred over to the State Controller’s Office. It is easy to find out if the Controller is protecting property in your name.
Search for Unclaimed Money. In the United States, alone, there is over $40 billion in unclaimed money and property being held by the state and federal governments. Some of this money has been sitting unclaimed for years, while other money has just been added to the unclaimed money registries. It is easy to search for property to find out it if it belongs to you, and easy to claim property that does. Businesses send money to state-run unclaimed property offices when they can’t locate the owner. The unclaimed funds held by the state are often from bank accounts, insurance policies, or your state government. Start your search for unclaimed money with your state’s unclaimed property office.
Claiming Your Property
Did you receive a letter that looks like this? The Controller’s team mails these annual notices in an effort to connect owners with their property before it is sent to the state government for safekeeping.
If you did not contact the business by the deadline listed, the property will simply be transferred to the State Controller’s Office and then you can claim it here. There is no time limit for claiming your property from the state.
- Video:What to do if you receive a notice from the State Controller's Office
- All funds are received and administered through the Department’s Unclaimed Property Program. Unclaimed property refers to property being held by an organization that has not had contact with the owner for an extended period of time. Property is usually considered unclaimed after three years, when it is turned over to the state of Washington.
- Texas' Official Unclaimed Property Site - Texas.
- There's over $ 976 million in Tennessee's unclaimed property fund. Conduct a free online search today and find your missing money! Searching for your unclaimed property is a free service of the Tennessee Department of Treasury. If there's a match, you can file a claim for your unclaimed property (with no fees) in three easy steps on our website! Search for your unclaimed property online.
To electronically claim property, an owner must complete a secure form online (including name, social security number, birthdate, and address). Some more complicated claims may require additional proof of ownership.
Us Lost Funds
- Video: How to Use eClaim
- Video: How to Search for Unclaimed Property
Fraud Alert
The State Controller’s Office has received inquiries from the public reporting the receipt of generic postcards prompting individuals to call a toll-free number regarding an unclaimed property notification. The State Controller’s Office is not connected with the mailing of these postcards and cautions the public from calling a number from an unknown source. Start your search for property here.
Some people have reported receiving official-looking emails or letters with instructions to contact a private attorney or pay upfront fees for help with recovering lost property for them or a family member. You have the right to obtain your unclaimed property without fees or lawyers by working directly with the State Controller’s Office staff. Start your search for property here.
It is a violation of California law for people or companies to falsely identify themselves as representing a government official. If you receive a suspicious solicitation from a non-governmental source, the Controller recommends that you do not share personal information with the sender. Instead forward the solicitation to the State Controller's Office at EOInquiry@sco.ca.gov so the Controller's legal team can pursue appropriate action.
Holder Reporting
Important: The 2020 Holder Remit Reports and Remittances for life insurance companies have been postponed due to COVID-19. Read the notice from the Controller for more information.
Investigators
Other Resources and Contact Information
Languages
California’s Unclaimed Property Law requires banks, insurance companies, corporations, and certain other entities to report and submit their customers’ property to the State Controller’s Office when there has been no activity for a period of time (generally three years). Common types of unclaimed property are bank accounts, stocks, bonds, uncashed checks, insurance benefits, wages, and safe deposit box contents. Property does not include Real Estate. Controller Betty Yee safeguards this lost or forgotten property as long as it takes to reunite it with the rightful owners; there is no deadline for claiming it once it is transferred over to the State Controller’s Office. It is easy to find out if the Controller is protecting property in your name.
Claiming Your Property
Did you receive a letter that looks like this? The Controller’s team mails these annual notices in an effort to connect owners with their property before it is sent to the state government for safekeeping.
If you did not contact the business by the deadline listed, the property will simply be transferred to the State Controller’s Office and then you can claim it here. There is no time limit for claiming your property from the state.
- Video:What to do if you receive a notice from the State Controller's Office
To electronically claim property, an owner must complete a secure form online (including name, social security number, birthdate, and address). Some more complicated claims may require additional proof of ownership.
- Video: How to Use eClaim
- Video: How to Search for Unclaimed Property
Fraud Alert
The State Controller’s Office has received inquiries from the public reporting the receipt of generic postcards prompting individuals to call a toll-free number regarding an unclaimed property notification. The State Controller’s Office is not connected with the mailing of these postcards and cautions the public from calling a number from an unknown source. Start your search for property here.
Some people have reported receiving official-looking emails or letters with instructions to contact a private attorney or pay upfront fees for help with recovering lost property for them or a family member. You have the right to obtain your unclaimed property without fees or lawyers by working directly with the State Controller’s Office staff. Start your search for property here.
It is a violation of California law for people or companies to falsely identify themselves as representing a government official. If you receive a suspicious solicitation from a non-governmental source, the Controller recommends that you do not share personal information with the sender. Instead forward the solicitation to the State Controller's Office at EOInquiry@sco.ca.gov so the Controller's legal team can pursue appropriate action.
Holder Reporting
Important: The 2020 Holder Remit Reports and Remittances for life insurance companies have been postponed due to COVID-19. Read the notice from the Controller for more information.
Investigators
Other Resources and Contact Information
Us Lost Funds Meaning
Languages