Are you missing money? You might have unclaimed accounts. Here's how to find them (2024)

Florida is holding over $2 billion in unclaimed accounts and property

Have you ever had that nagging feeling that you're missing some money you should have?

You might be. There are billions of dollars from unclaimed accounts sitting unclaimed in the U.S., with about $2 billion in the Sunshine State alone. All you need to do is ask. And provide ID.

Here's what you need to know.

How did my money go missing?

Unclaimed property comes from "dormant accounts in financial institutions, insurance and utility companies, securities and trust holdings," according to the Florida Department of Financial Services. And it's not just money.

"In addition to money and securities, unclaimed property includes tangible property such as watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles from abandoned safe deposit boxes," the MyFloridaCFO.com site says. It also can include traveler's checks, trust distributions, customer overpayments, utility security deposits, and more.

Check your pockets: Florida could owe you unclaimed money: Here's how to find out

What happens to missing money in Florida that isn't claimed?

Unclaimed money is deposited into the state school fund and used for public education, MyFloridaCFO.com says, but there is no statute of limitations and citizens may claim their property at any time.

There was $323 million paid out to Floridians last year, the site said, and there's a 1-in-5 chance you have something you can claim.

Does it cost anything to reclaim my missing money?

No. Don't trust any services promising to find them for you for a fee.

How do I search for my missing money in Florida?

You've got a couple of ways, both free of charge.

• Florida's Treasure Hunt: Search for forgotten financial accounts with this state-provided search
• MissingMoney.com: Search for missing money across all 50 states at once, and submit claims

Enter your name to search for unclaimed property. If something pops up, click on it to see the amount (if available), who reported it, and how to claim it. Once you fill out your information you'll receive a form to fill out and mail to the state's unclaimed property division along with proof that you owned the account.

“You may be asked for documentation of your Social Security number, a past address or proof of your past connection or relationship to the entity that reported the account to the department,” according to the department.

Be sure to search for different versions of your name, including common misspellings, nicknames, and even your last name and just the initial of your first name. If you are or were married, try a plural version of your last name with just THE after it, like SMITHS THE.

What if the unclaimed money belongs to a deceased account holder?

You still can claim it, provided you are the next of kin and can provide certified copies of official documentation that establishes your entitlement to the property and a certified death certificate for the owner.

Are there other ways to find missing money?

Oh, yes. You could have unknown cash tucked away in many places, and they're all in different databases. Here are some places to look:

• Unpaid wages: Search the Department of Labor’s databasefor back pay an employer might owe you, or check the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)to search for an unclaimed pension.
• Retirement funds: TheNational Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefitscan help you find money being held from prior employers, such as past 401K accounts.
• Unclaimed insurance money: Search theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) databasefor unclaimed insurance funds, and the the HUD databaseif you had an FHA-insured mortgage to see if you are eligible for a refund.
• Tax refunds: Use the IRSWhere’s My Refund? search toolif you have not received your tax refund.
• Investments: Search the FDIC databasefor unclaimed funds from failed banks or closed financial institutions, or look for unclaimed depositsfrom closed credit unions.
• Savings bonds: TreasuryHunt.govcan help you find matured savings bonds that are no longer earning interest. You can also learn how toreplace a lost or destroyed savings bond.
• Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts: The Department of the Interior'sBureau of Trust Funds Administration(BTFA) managesIndividual Indian Money (IIM) accountsfor Native American and Alaska Native beneficiaries. Check theWhereabouts Unknown search toolto see if you have an unclaimed account.