Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Connecticut: How to Claim Money Owed to You

If you’ve ever opened a utility account or had a mortgage with an escrow account in Connecticut, there’s a chance you could have unclaimed money waiting for you. This article walks you through how unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds usually work in Connecticut, and how to use official state channels to search for and claim what you’re owed.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational resource only. It is not a government agency, not an official unclaimed property portal, and not a place to file claims. You will need to use Connecticut’s official unclaimed property resources or contact your utility, lender, or the proper state office to actually claim funds.

What Are Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds?

Unclaimed utility deposits

When you start service with a utility company (such as electric, gas, water, or certain telecommunications providers), you may be required to pay a security deposit. This is common if:

• You have limited or no credit history
• You have a past-due balance with a prior utility
• The account is being opened under special circumstances (e.g., new move-in, prior shutoff)

Typically, that utility deposit is:

• Held by the utility company while your account is active
• Applied to your bill after a set amount of on-time payments
• Refunded when you close the account and your final bill is settled

If the utility company cannot reach you to refund the deposit (for example, you moved and didn’t update your address), the money may eventually be turned over to the State of Connecticut as unclaimed property.

Unclaimed escrow funds

If you have or had a mortgage on a home in Connecticut, your lender or mortgage servicer may have collected escrow payments to pay:

• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• Mortgage insurance (in some cases)

When your mortgage is paid off, refinanced, sold to another servicer, or significantly adjusted, you may be due an escrow refund. This could become unclaimed if:

• The lender or servicer mails a check, and it’s never cashed
• The check is lost, returned, or sent to an old address
• There’s confusion about who should receive the funds (after divorce, death of a borrower, etc.)

Over time, those unclaimed escrow funds may also be turned over to the State of Connecticut as unclaimed property.

How Unclaimed Property Works in Connecticut

In Connecticut, unclaimed property law generally requires businesses, utilities, and financial institutions to turn over money they cannot return to the rightful owner after a certain period (often 3–5 years, but timing can vary).

Common types of unclaimed property include:

• Utility deposits and credits
• Escrow refunds from mortgage accounts
• Bank accounts and CDs
• Uncashed checks (including refund checks)
• Insurance proceeds
• Some types of investments and dividends

These funds are usually transferred to the Connecticut State Treasurer’s Office (or a similar state unclaimed property program). The state then holds the money until the owner or heir files a valid claim.

Step 1: Check If You Might Have Unclaimed Funds

Before you search or file a claim, it helps to think through where unclaimed money might come from.

Clues you might have an unclaimed utility deposit

You might have unclaimed utility funds if:

• You had electric, gas, water, or other utilities in Connecticut in the past, especially if you paid a security deposit
• You moved out of state or changed addresses without giving the utility a forwarding address
• You remember closing an account but don’t recall receiving a final bill or deposit refund
• You know a deposit was required, but you don’t remember it ever being credited or refunded

Clues you might have an unclaimed escrow refund

You might have unclaimed escrow funds if:

• You paid off, refinanced, or sold a Connecticut property
• Your mortgage was transferred to a different servicer, and the transition involved escrow adjustments
• You received a letter saying an escrow refund was due, but you never received or cashed the check
• There was a co-borrower who has since moved, divorced, or passed away, and the refund may have gone unclaimed

If any of these situations sound familiar, it’s worth checking for unclaimed property through the official Connecticut unclaimed property program.

Step 2: Search for Unclaimed Property in Connecticut

To see whether Connecticut is holding a utility deposit, escrow refund, or other funds in your name, you generally need to use the state’s official unclaimed property search tool.

You can typically:

1. Go to the official Connecticut state unclaimed property website (run by the State Treasurer or similar office).
2. Use the online name search tool.
3. Search by:
   • Your current legal name
   • Prior names (maiden name, previous married name, or name before a legal change)
   • Business name, if you owned or operated a company that might have had utilities or mortgage escrow

If you prefer not to search online, you can usually:

• Call the state unclaimed property office and ask about search options
• Request paper forms or a mailed list in some limited situations

When you see a match, the listing may show:

• Owner name
• Last known address
• Type of property (for example, “utility deposit” or “escrow account”)
• The holder (the business or agency that turned over the funds)
• Sometimes an approximate dollar range or value

Step 3: Prepare Documents to Claim Your Money

To claim unclaimed utility deposits or escrow funds in Connecticut, you’ll generally need to prove your identity and show your connection to the account or property.

Common documents for individuals

You may be asked to provide copies (never send originals unless the state office specifically requires it):

• Valid photo ID

  • Connecticut driver’s license or state ID
  • U.S. passport or other government-issued ID

• Proof of your Social Security number

  • Social Security card
  • Official tax form showing your full SSN (for example, a W-2)

• Proof of current address (if it’s different from the address shown on the unclaimed property record)

  • Utility bill
  • Lease agreement
  • Bank statement

• Proof of your connection to the old address or account, such as:

  • Old utility bill showing your name and the service address
  • Closing statement from a home sale
  • Mortgage or escrow statements
  • Copy of a lease, property tax bill, or insurance policy with your name and the address

Additional documents that may be needed

Depending on the situation, Connecticut’s unclaimed property office may also ask for:

• Marriage certificate (if claiming under a maiden or married name)
• Court orders documenting name changes
• Death certificate and probate documents if you are claiming on behalf of a deceased relative
• Power of attorney or other legal authorization if you’re claiming for someone else
• Business records, if the property belongs to a company (for example, articles of incorporation, proof of authority to act for the business)

Step 4: File a Claim Through Official Connecticut Channels

Once you’ve found a listing that looks like your unclaimed utility deposit or escrow refund, you need to submit a claim to the state’s unclaimed property program.

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot accept or process claims. You must go through Connecticut’s official process.

Typical ways to submit a claim

Connecticut often allows one or more of the following:

1. Online claim submission

   • Start the claim directly from the online search results
   • Fill in your contact details and basic information to verify you’re the correct owner
   • Upload scanned copies or clear photos of required documents (ID, proof of address, etc.)

2. Paper claim form

   • Download or request a claim form from the state’s unclaimed property program
   • Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it with copies of your documents to the address listed on the form

3. In-person assistance (varies)

   • Some states have in-person support at state fairs, outreach events, or state offices
   • Call the Connecticut unclaimed property office to ask if in-person assistance is available and where

What to double-check before sending your claim

• Your name matches your ID (and prior names are explained with documents if needed)
• Your current contact information is correct and easy to read
• All required sections of the claim form are completed
• All required documents are included
• You have kept copies of everything you send

What Happens After You File a Claim?

Once you file a claim for unclaimed utility deposits or escrow funds:

1. Review by the state office

   • Staff will verify your identity and check that you match the owner information on the account.
   • For escrow funds or more complex claims, they may need extra verification or contact the original holder.

2. Additional information requests

   • If anything is missing or unclear, the state may mail or email a request for more documents.
   • Delays are common when documents are incomplete, blurry, or don’t clearly connect you to the property.

3. Approval or denial

   • If approved, payment is usually made by check mailed to your current address.
   • If denied, you may receive a written explanation and instructions on what to do if you disagree.

4. Timelines

   • Timeframes can vary depending on claim volume and complexity.
   • Simple individual claims with clear documentation may be resolved in a few weeks to a few months.
   • Claims involving estates, businesses, or large amounts can take longer.

Quick Comparison: Utility Deposits vs. Escrow Funds in Connecticut

Common Reasons Claims Get Delayed or Denied

Understanding typical problems can help you avoid them.

Frequent issues

• Name mismatch

  • The name on the unclaimed property record doesn’t match your current ID (for example, your maiden name or an old spelling), and you don’t include proof of the name change.

• Missing connection to the address or account

  • You provide ID, but no document tying you to the old address or utility/mortgage account listed.

• Incomplete form

  • Sections left blank, or required signatures and dates missing.

• Unreadable documents

  • Blurry photos, cut-off pages, or copies that don’t clearly show names, addresses, or account details.

• Claiming someone else’s funds without authority

  • Trying to claim funds for a deceased relative or another person without proper legal documentation (such as probate letters, power of attorney, or other court-issued authority).

If your claim is denied, the written explanation from the state usually gives hints about what was missing and whether you can correct and resubmit.

Can You Appeal or Ask for a Review?

If you believe a claim was wrongly denied, you can usually:

1. Contact the Connecticut unclaimed property office

   • Ask for clarification on why the claim was denied.
   • Request a list of exact documents needed to reconsider.

2. Submit additional documents

   • Provide stronger proof of identity, name change, address history, or authority to act on behalf of another person or estate.

3. Follow any formal appeal process

   • Some states have a structured appeal or review process.
   • Ask the state office whether Connecticut offers this and how to proceed.

Always use official contact information listed by the state government, not numbers or addresses found on random websites or advertisements.

What If You Don’t See Your Name Listed?

If your name doesn’t appear in the state’s unclaimed property search, here are some next steps:

• Try different variations of your name

  • Include middle initials, nicknames used on accounts, or prior legal names.

• Search under business names

  • If you ran a small business that had utilities or a mortgage, search using the legal business name.

• Check past utility providers and mortgage servicers directly

  • Call the customer service number for your old utility or mortgage servicer.
  • Ask if there is any record of an unrefunded deposit or escrow balance.
  • If they state that funds were turned over to the state, use that information when searching the state database.

• Search again later

  • New unclaimed property is turned over to the state regularly, so it may show up later.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Connecticut Channels

Because unclaimed property often involves personal information and sometimes sizable sums, it’s important to avoid scams.

Tips to stay safe

• Use official state resources

  • Make sure the unclaimed property search site is clearly operated by the State of Connecticut (for example, listed on the state government’s main website or associated with the State Treasurer).

• Be cautious about fees

  • Many people are contacted by “finders” or “heir search” companies that charge a fee to file claims.
  • Connecticut’s official unclaimed property program typically allows you to search and claim your funds at no cost.
  • If someone asks for a large percentage of your funds or an upfront fee, you can decline and contact the state directly instead.

• Protect your personal information

  • Only provide Social Security numbers, IDs, and banking details through official, secure channels.
  • Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts, or calls claiming to be from “unclaimed money services” that you did not contact first.

• Verify phone numbers and mailing addresses

  • Cross-check any address or phone number with those listed on Connecticut’s official state websites or by calling a publicly listed main number for the state treasurer or related office.

If you’re uncertain whether a site or caller is legitimate, you can call 211 or your local consumer protection office to ask how to confirm you’re working with the correct state agency.

Alternatives and Additional Help If You’re Struggling to Get Answers

If you’re having trouble claiming unclaimed utility deposits or escrow funds, you might consider:

• Contacting your old utility company or mortgage servicer

  • Ask for account histories, final statements, or written confirmation that funds were turned over to the state.

• Reaching out to legal aid or housing counseling organizations

  • Some nonprofit legal aid groups and housing counselors in Connecticut can help explain documents, especially for escrow or estate-related claims.
  • They usually can’t file the claim for you, but they may help you understand which documents you need.

• Calling 211

  • In many areas, dialing 211 connects you to community information and referral services.
  • They may provide general guidance on where to get help with consumer issues and navigating state offices.

Remember: any assistance organization or attorney you contact is usually separate from the state’s unclaimed property program. You will still need to submit your claim through the official Connecticut office.

By using Connecticut’s official unclaimed property search tools, gathering the right documentation, and following the state’s claim process carefully, many residents are able to recover forgotten utility deposits and escrow funds that belong to them.