Finding Lost Cash on MissingMoney.Com

MissingMoney.com is a website that allows people to reclaim funds and property lawfully due to them from the state government's custody. These could be unclaimed dividends, payroll checks, tax refunds, trust distributions, escrow accounts, CDs, money orders, etc. that businesses may have turned over to the state after being unable to contact you for a period of one year or more. You can also search for the name of your deceased relatives and present a claim if you are a legal heir to their wealth.

MissingMoney.com aggregates your dues from records in all the states except California and New York. It is managed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators and is a trustworthy website.

Searching the site is simple. Key in your name and state in the search box - the site pulls up all records matching your name. It indicates the state holding potential dues, the company or organization that owes the dues and the last known address of the person in that state. The address can help you correctly identify your records from myriad records sharing the same name. The shows the range the due fall in but the exact amount will be known only after the state approves your claim.

When you submit your claim on MissingMoney.com, you have to provide your social security number and your current address. Finally, you will be provided with a 'claims' form that must be certified by a notary and sent out to the State treasurer of the state which is holding your dues. You also need to attach proof of your identity by providing your W-2 form, social security card or tax returns.

If your claim is on behalf of a deceased owner, you must also provide a death certificate and letters of testamentary or small estate affidavit indicating how the property must be disbursed.

WSJ reports that property worth $33 billion is lying unclaimed with the state governments. Try your luck at MissingMoney.com to see if you have forgotten to claim a tax refund or a payroll check.

I found two claims in my husband's name lying unclaimed for over 6 years. Each accounted for over $100. They were state tax refunds that he had forgotten to cash when he was a graduate student. The state refunded the money within 12-14 weeks of filing a claim.