Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Arkansas: How to Track Them Down and Claim What You’re Owed

If you have ever started utility service, rented an apartment, or taken out a mortgage in Arkansas, you may have paid deposits or had money held in escrow. When you move, switch providers, or pay off a loan, those funds are sometimes left behind and eventually treated as unclaimed property.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains, in plain English, how unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds typically work in Arkansas and how people usually try to claim them through official state channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency and cannot process claims or check your status. Instead, this article is meant to help you understand the usual steps so you can follow up with the correct official offices in Arkansas.

What Are Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds?

Utility deposits

A utility deposit is money you pay up front to a service provider, such as:

• Electric companies
• Gas providers
• Water utilities
• Sewer or trash services
• Telecommunications (landline, internet in some cases)

Companies often require a deposit when:

• You are a new customer
• You have limited or no credit history
• You have had past late payments with that company or another provider

When you close the account or show a good payment history, the utility may:

• Credit the deposit back to your account, or
• Send you a refund check

If the provider cannot reach you (for example, if you moved without a forwarding address), the money can eventually become unclaimed property overseen by the State of Arkansas.

Escrow funds

Escrow funds are money held by a third party for a specific purpose. Common examples:

• Mortgage escrow accounts for property taxes and homeowner’s insurance
• Landlord/tenant escrow in some rentals (for repairs or disputed amounts)
• Real estate closing escrow when buying or selling property

Once the purpose is completed—such as your loan being paid off, or closing being finalized—any leftover funds should be returned to you. If they are not, or if the company cannot locate you, those funds may be turned over to the state’s unclaimed property division after a waiting period.

How Unclaimed Property Works in Arkansas

Arkansas, like most states, has an unclaimed property program usually administered by a state agency such as the State Auditor or Treasurer. This agency:

• Receives unclaimed funds from businesses, utilities, and financial institutions
• Keeps those funds on behalf of the rightful owners
• Provides a way for people to search for and claim their money

Typical examples of property that may end up with the state include:

• Unclaimed utility deposits and refunds
• Uncashed refund checks
• Dormant bank accounts
• Escrow balances (especially from mortgages or real estate transactions)
• Insurance proceeds and more

Arkansas law generally requires businesses to turn over dormant funds after a certain “dormancy period” (often a few years without activity or contact). The exact timelines can vary by type of property.

Step 1: Check with the Utility or Escrow Holder First

Before you look at state unclaimed property, it can help to contact the original company that might be holding your money.

For utility deposits

Contact the customer service or billing department of the provider where you think you left a deposit. Be ready to provide:

• Your full legal name (and any former names)
• Previous service address
• Approximate dates you had service
• Account number, if you still have a bill or notice
• Last four digits of your SSN or other identifying details, if requested

Ask plainly:

“Can you check whether I still have a deposit or credit on my closed account?”

If they say your funds were already sent to the State of Arkansas as unclaimed property, you will normally need to file a claim with the state, not with the utility.

For escrow funds

For escrow balances, start with the company that managed the escrow, such as:

• Your former mortgage servicer or lender
• The title company that handled your closing
• The property management company or landlord (in limited cases)

Ask:

• Whether there was any remaining escrow balance after payoff or closing
• Whether any funds were refunded, applied to your account, or sent to the state

If they confirm money was sent to the state as unclaimed property, your next stop is usually the Arkansas unclaimed property office.

Step 2: Search Arkansas’s Unclaimed Property Database

Most states, including Arkansas, provide a free online search tool for unclaimed property. This is typically available through the official website of:

• The Arkansas Auditor of State, or
• The Arkansas State Treasurer, depending on how the state organizes the program

You can usually find the right site by searching terms such as:

• “Arkansas unclaimed property search”
• “Arkansas auditor unclaimed funds”

Make sure the site clearly shows it is a State of Arkansas official website (look for a .gov domain and official state logos).

Typical search steps

On the official Arkansas unclaimed property page, the search process usually looks like this:

1. Enter your last name and first name
2. Optionally add a city or previous address to narrow results
3. Review the list of matches for your name or similar names
4. Click on each entry to see who reported the funds and an approximate amount range

Look for entries from:

• Utility companies (electric, gas, water, telephone)
• Mortgage servicers or title companies
• Escrow or property management firms

If you see an entry that looks like it belongs to you, the database often gives you a way to start a claim request directly on that site or by printing a form.

Step 3: Understand Who Can File a Claim

The rightful owner of the unclaimed property is usually the person or entity named in the record. Typical eligible claimants include:

• Individual account holders who paid the deposit or owned the account
• Heirs or estates of a deceased person (using probate or legal documents)
• Businesses if the account was in the business’s name
• Joint account holders if the account was shared

For example:

• If the utility deposit was under your maiden name, you may still claim it with proof of your name change.
• If a deceased parent had an escrow refund, a probate representative or appropriately authorized heir may need to file the claim.

Arkansas’s unclaimed property office usually provides specific guidance on claiming on behalf of someone else, such as a family member or business.

Step 4: Gather Common Documents You May Need

The Arkansas unclaimed property office typically asks for documentation to prove that:

1. You are who you say you are, and
2. You are the same person (or successor) listed on the account

Below is a general overview of documents that are often requested. Requirements can vary by case and by state, so check Arkansas’s official instructions carefully.

Common documents for individuals

• Government-issued photo ID

  • Arkansas driver’s license or state ID
  • Passport
  • Military ID (if accepted by the office)

• Proof of Social Security Number (sometimes requested)

  • Copy of a Social Security card
  • Tax document or W-2 with SSN visible (if allowed by the office)

• Proof of address or former address associated with the claim

  • Old utility bills
  • Mortgage statements
  • Lease agreements
  • Bank statements
  • Pay stubs or official correspondence

• Name change documents, if your legal name has changed

  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree
  • Court order of name change

For heirs and estates

If you are claiming on behalf of a deceased person, you may be asked for:

• Death certificate
• Will, letters testamentary, or letters of administration
• Court appointment of the estate’s personal representative
• Proof of your relationship to the deceased (if needed)

For businesses

• Business formation documents (articles of incorporation, etc.)
• Proof of current ownership or authority to act
• Tax ID number (EIN)
• Proof of prior business address if it differs from current address

Quick Reference: Typical Documents by Situation

*Exact requirements are set by the Arkansas unclaimed property office and may differ from this summary.

Step 5: Submit a Claim Through Arkansas’s Official Channel

The exact process can change over time, but Arkansas typically offers one or more of these methods:

• Online claim form on the official state unclaimed property website
• Printable claim form that you sign and mail with copies of documents
• In some cases, in-person assistance at a state office or outreach event

Because HowToGetAssistance.org is not a state agency, you will need to:

1. Go to the official Arkansas unclaimed property page (search via a trusted search engine).
2. Follow the directions to initiate your claim.
3. Upload or mail the required supporting documents exactly as instructed.

Make sure to:

• Use your current mailing address and contact information
• Keep copies of everything you send
• Note any claim or reference number provided

What Happens After You File a Claim?

Once Arkansas’s unclaimed property office receives your claim:

1. Initial review

   • Staff will compare your information and documents to the property record.
   • They may check name, address, SSN, or other identifiers.

2. Requests for more information

   • If something is missing or unclear, the office may send you a letter, email, or call (depending on what you provided) to request additional documents.
   • There may be a deadline to respond.

3. Decision

   • If the claim is approved, the state generally issues a check for the amount due.
   • If the claim is denied or closed, you may receive a notice explaining why.

Processing times vary based on:

• Volume of claims
• Complexity of your situation
• How complete your documentation is

If you do not hear anything after a reasonable time, you can contact the Arkansas unclaimed property office directly through the phone number or email listed on their official site and ask about your claim status.

Common Issues That Can Delay or Block a Claim

People in Arkansas sometimes run into delays or denials for reasons such as:

• Incomplete documentation

  • Missing ID, missing proof of address, or no proof of name change.

• Name mismatches

  • Spelling differences, nicknames vs. legal name, or changed last names.

• Address mismatches

  • The property record shows an old address that you have trouble proving.

• Unclear ownership

  • Estate not properly documented; no clear proof you are authorized to claim for a deceased person or business.

• Outdated contact information

  • The office cannot reach you for follow-up questions.

If your claim is delayed:

• Carefully review any letters or emails from the state for exactly what they need.
• Provide legible copies of documents.
• If instructions are unclear, call the official unclaimed property office for clarification.

How Appeals or Reviews Usually Work

If Arkansas’s unclaimed property office denies your claim or closes it because of missing information, you usually have options:

1. Submit additional documentation

   • Many issues can be fixed by sending better or more complete documents (e.g., an old utility bill that matches the address on the record).

2. Ask for clarification

   • You can typically call or write to the office to ask why the claim was denied and what evidence they would accept.

3. Formal review or appeal

   • Some states allow a more formal appeal process or administrative review.
   • For details specific to Arkansas, you would need to check the state’s official unclaimed property guidelines or speak with the office directly.

Because appeal options can involve legal and procedural rules, consider talking with a qualified attorney if the amount is large or if you believe the decision was incorrect. HowToGetAssistance.org does not provide legal advice or representation.

If You Don’t Find Anything in Arkansas’s Database

It is common for people to not find unclaimed property on the first search. If that happens:

1. Try variations of your information

   • Different spellings of your name
   • Previous names (maiden name, nickname)
   • Cities where you have lived in Arkansas

2. Search other states

   • If you’ve lived, worked, or used utilities in other states, those states may be holding your unclaimed funds instead.
   • Most states have their own official unclaimed property websites.

3. Check with companies directly

   • Utilities, mortgage servicers, and landlords can confirm whether they have an active credit or whether funds were already sent to a state program.

4. Re-check periodically

   • New unclaimed property is reported to states regularly.
   • If you search again in a year, a previously missing deposit might now appear.

Avoiding Scams When Searching for Unclaimed Funds

Because unclaimed property involves real money, there are also scam attempts. Some people receive unsolicited calls, emails, or letters claiming they’re “owed money” and asking for fees or personal information.

Here are ways to protect yourself:

• Use only official channels

  • Manually look up the Arkansas unclaimed property program through a trusted search engine and confirm you are on a .gov state site.
  • Do not rely solely on links from unsolicited messages.

• Be cautious about fees

  • Many states, including Arkansas, allow you to claim your money directly without paying a fee.
  • Some private “finders” legally offer to locate and claim funds for a percentage, but this is usually optional. If you choose to use one, review contracts carefully.

• Guard your personal information

  • The official state site may ask for your SSN or partial SSN to verify identity, but always confirm you are on a legitimate state government website before entering sensitive data.
  • Hang up on callers who pressure you or refuse to provide clear information about who they are and what agency they represent.

• Check phone numbers

  • If someone calls claiming to be from a state office, you can hang up and call back using the phone number listed on the official Arkansas government website, not the one they provided.

If something seems suspicious, you can ask the state agency directly whether the contact was legitimate.

Other Resources If You Need Help

If you need help understanding the process or organizing documents, consider:

• 211

  • Dialing 211 can connect you with local information and referral services. They cannot file claims for you, but they may help you find legal aid or financial counseling resources.

• Legal aid organizations in Arkansas

  • These organizations sometimes assist with issues involving estates or documentation, especially for low-income residents. You can look up “Arkansas legal aid” or similar terms and verify that any group you contact is an official nonprofit or legal service provider.

• Consumer assistance hotlines

  • Some state offices have general consumer or financial education lines that can explain unclaimed property basics.

Remember: HowToGetAssistance.org is informational only and does not access, manage, or distribute unclaimed property.

By checking with your utility companies, mortgage servicers, landlords, and the official Arkansas unclaimed property office, you can usually determine whether you have unclaimed utility deposits or escrow funds waiting for you. The key steps are to search the official database, gather proper documents, and follow Arkansas’s instructions carefully so any funds that belong to you can be returned through the correct state process.