Who sends it: Your state's unclaimed property program, a company holding your money, or a private finder.
What this letter is
When a bank, insurer, employer or other company cannot reach you about money it owes you, such as an old account, an uncashed check, a refund or an insurance payment, it must eventually turn the money over to the state. The state keeps a record so you, or your heirs, can claim it later.
Who sent it?
- Your state's unclaimed property office, often run by the state treasurer or controller. Claiming from the state is free.
- The company holding your money, before it turns it over. It may ask you to confirm that you want to keep the account.
- A private finder or locator company, offering to get the money for you in exchange for a share of it. Some states limit these fees or require finders to register.
What to do: claim it yourself
- Go to unclaimed.org, run by the national association of state unclaimed property programs. It links to every state's official program and to MissingMoney, a free search of many states at once.
- Search your name, any past names, and every state where you have lived or worked.
- If you find something, file the claim through the official state site. You may need ID and proof of your address at the time.
- Search for relatives who have passed away too. Heirs can often claim.
How to tell a real one from a fake
A real state program never charges a fee to search or claim. Be careful with letters or calls that ask for a fee upfront, a bank login, or your Social Security number over the phone, or that will not say which state or company holds the money.
Before you sign anything with a finder, look yourself at unclaimed.org. If the money is there, you can claim it free and keep all of it.
When to get help
If the claim involves an estate or a large amount, the lawyer handling the estate or your state's unclaimed property office can explain what papers you need. Call the state office at a number you find on its official site, not one from the letter.
Have one in front of you?
Take a clear photo and text it to Uncle at +1 208 214 0093. He tells you in plain words what it says, what it wants from you, and anything that looks wrong. How to take a clear photo.
This page explains what this kind of letter usually means. Your letter is the final word on your dates and amounts. For a decision about taxes, health coverage or a legal matter, call the office that sent it, using the number on its official website, or ask a professional you trust.
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Written by the Textuncle team. Last updated October 3, 2026.
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