The main way to check if the US government has undeclared money in your name is through the official, free website MissingMoney.com . This government-approved national platform aggregates data from almost every state in the US, allowing you to search by your first and last name to see if you have any assets or forgotten checks that legally belong to you. MissingMoney.com
In America, billions of dollars are sitting in government accounts because people change addresses, forget about old bank accounts, or don’t cash various financial checks. This phenomenon is called “Unclaimed Property,” and the government is legally required to hold onto this money until you claim it. Here’s a complete guide on how to find out if there’s money in your name and how to get it:
1. What is considered “Undeclared Money”?
If a company or bank fails to contact you for a period of 1 to 5 years, they are required to transfer your money to your state’s Department of Finance. This money can come from:
- Old bank accounts (checking or savings) that you opened and forgot about.
- Unpresented paychecks from former employers.
- Security deposits returned by electricity, water, gas or telephone companies (utility deposits).
- Insurance refunds or life insurance policies.
- Stocks, dividends, or old investment accounts.
2. Steps on how to search for free on state websites
In addition to the national site, each state has its own program managed by the State Treasurer.
- How to do it: Go to Google and search for the name of your state along with the words “unclaimed property” (e.g. “New York unclaimed property” or “Illinois unclaimed property” ).
- Warning: Make sure the website you click on always ends with .gov (e.g. osc.ny.gov or illinoistreasurer.gov ). Any website that asks you for money or a credit card to do the search is a scam. The government service is 100% free .
3. Federal Money Control (IRS Taxes)
If the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent you a tax refund check and it got lost in the mail, that money remains with the federal government.
- How to check: Use the official IRS tool – Where’s My Refund? on their website. You’ll need to enter your Social Security Number (SSN), filing status, and the exact amount of refund you were expecting.
4. How to search for banks that have failed
If you had money in a bank that closed or went bankrupt, the U.S. government protects that money through the FDIC corporation .
- How to check: Go to the FDIC website and use their “unclaimed funds” tool . If your name is on the list of protected accounts, you can file a claim to get your money back.
5. Lost pension checks (old 401k)
If you’ve changed jobs a lot in the US, you may have left behind small 401(k) retirement accounts that former companies have closed and turned into checks.
- How to check: In addition to state websites, you can access the national registry of unclaimed retirement benefits through the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits .
6. Filing a Claim Process
If you find your name or that of a deceased family member on these lists, the withdrawal process is simple:
- Click on the “Claim” button next to the amount found on the state .gov page.
- Fill out the online form with your current information.
- Upload the required documents to prove your identity (usually a photo of your driver’s license/ID and a document proving your old address, such as a previous utility bill).
- The state will review the request and within a few weeks will send you a check by mail or direct bank transfer.
To help you find out if you have money left somewhere in the US, tell me:
- In which states of America have you lived or worked since you arrived?
- Have you changed your residential address or last name in recent years?
I can send you the exact link to that specific state’s government website to do the research right away.