Sometimes when people move they don't always realize they left behind something important. From a forgotten bank account, to a final paycheck, there are tons of monetary items that have been overlooked.
Every state, and Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta in Canada have unclaimed property programs that are searching for owners of lost and forgotten assets. Claims for property can even be made by heirs.
Unclaimed property sometimes is referred to as abandoned property. Abandoned property means things like accounts with banks or companies that have not been used in one year or longer. These items include things like: savings accounts, checking accounts, stocks, uncashed dividends or payroll checks, refunds, traveler's checks, trust distributions, unredeemed money orders, or gift certificates, insurance payments, life insurance policies, annuities, certificates of deposit, customer overpayments, utility security deposits, mineral royalty payments and contents from safe deposit boxes.
The various states have enacted unclaimed property programs to insure the safe return of properties rather than items being reverted to the companies that have lost contact with the owners. In this effort, most State Treasures office have the reasonability of finding lost owners. To do this, websites were created for people to search for lost property. Sites from the states are free for users. Some other sites not associated with the official websites will charge a fee to access the same information.
The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators or www.unclaimed.org has a state-by-state searchable engine. To find missing property users need to search in each state they lived in. This site also includes searches for Canada. To find out if you are listed search by first and last name.
At www.freeprf.com searches for lost property can be done state by state. This website has links to each state and county public record.
Another website is www.missingmoney.com. The free, searchable information is updated monthly. Searches can be done by name.
The website www.usa.gov has links to government information a variety of issues but also to links about finding lost property. Links include things like: bank failures, credit union unclaimed shares, damaged money, get your money back-"Investors Claims Funds," government benefits, HUD/FHA mortgage insurance refunds, pension funds, savings bounds, states unclaimed property and tax refund status.
Once a users finds there name in the databases, claiming lost property can be as simple as filling out a form. Each state and province requires a specific form, which will help provide proof of ownership. This can be done with copies of checkbooks, passbooks, proof of previous address, etc. Once the form is completed, it's then sent to the appropriate state office.
To keep your property from being lost it is important to keep in contact with those institutions, which hold your money. In the case of a change in martial status, or change of address, contacting each organization that has your financial property is important to keep from losing track of that money in the future. Keep financial records, insurance policies, bank account numbers with the name of the banks and address in a safe place. Anything that is money back to you like rent deposits, utility deposits can also be left behind, so it is a good idea to write down what is coming to you and keep that in a safe place.
Finally cash all checks as soon as possible. Record where, and who your safe deposit box is kept with and give the key to someone you trust or keep it in a safe place.
There is billions of dollars of lost money across America, take a few minutes and see if you have money out there that belongs to you. It might be well worth your time.
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