Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Georgia: How to Find and Claim Money That May Be Yours

If you have ever started utility service or opened an escrow account for a mortgage in Georgia, you may have money sitting unclaimed in your name. Many people move, change banks, or forget about old accounts. Over time, unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds are often turned over to the State of Georgia as unclaimed property.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains, in plain language, how unclaimed funds usually work in Georgia, how to check if money is owed to you, and what steps to take through official state and company channels to claim it.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government office, utility company, bank, or application portal. This article is for information only so you can better understand the process and contact the correct official agencies.

Understanding Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Georgia

What are “unclaimed utility deposits”?

When you start service with a utility company in Georgia—such as electric, gas, water, sewer, or sometimes cable/internet—the company may charge a deposit. This deposit is held as security in case of non-payment.

A utility deposit can become “unclaimed” when:

• You close the account (for example, you move)
• The company owes you a refund or credit (deposit + any overpayments)
• The company cannot reach you (wrong address, no forwarding, outdated contact info)
• A refund check is mailed but never cashed

After a certain period of time with no contact from you (called a “dormancy period”), the company is generally required to turn these funds over to the State of Georgia as unclaimed property.

What are “unclaimed escrow funds”?

Escrow funds are most often connected to a mortgage. Your monthly mortgage payment may include extra money for:

• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• Mortgage insurance (if applicable)

Your mortgage servicer holds this money in an escrow account and pays these bills on your behalf. Escrow funds can become unclaimed if:

• Your mortgage is refinanced or paid off
• The loan is sold to another servicer
• There is an overage or surplus after taxes and insurance are paid
• A refund check is sent but never cashed
• The servicer cannot find you at your last known address

In Georgia, these unclaimed escrow balances may eventually be reported and transferred to the state’s unclaimed property office.

Who Typically Has Unclaimed Utility or Escrow Money in Georgia?

You might have unclaimed funds if:

• You moved out of Georgia or within Georgia and did not update addresses
• You changed your name (marriage, divorce, or legal name change)
• You closed a utility account that required a deposit (power, gas, water, etc.)
• You paid a mortgage in full, refinanced, or sold a home
• Your mortgage company changed and you lost track of old statements
• You received but never cashed:
  • A “final bill” refund check from a utility
  • An escrow surplus check from a mortgage servicer

Even if these events happened years ago, it can still be worth checking. Unclaimed property held by the State of Georgia generally does not expire once it is in the state’s custody.

Step 1: Check Georgia’s Official Unclaimed Property Office

In Georgia, utility deposits, escrow balances, and other forgotten funds are commonly handled through the state’s unclaimed property program.

How the Georgia unclaimed property process usually works

1. A company (utility, bank, mortgage servicer, etc.) loses contact with you.
2. After a dormancy period (often 1–5 years, depending on the type of property), the company:
   • Marks the account as inactive or abandoned
   • Is required by law to turn the money over to the State of Georgia
3. The state’s unclaimed property division holds the funds until the rightful owner (you or your heir) files a claim.

How to search for unclaimed funds in Georgia

You generally have two main ways to check:

• Online search
  Most people start by going to Georgia’s official unclaimed property website. You can usually:

  • Enter your first and last name
  • Try previous names (maiden name, prior married name)
  • Try business names if you owned a company
  • Search under last known address or city if that is an option

• Phone or mail
  If you are not comfortable searching online, you can contact:

  • The Georgia Department of Revenue unclaimed property unit, or
  • The state’s main revenue/tax office and ask to be directed to the unclaimed property division

When you call, be prepared with:

• Your full legal name
• Any previous names
• Your date of birth
• Past Georgia addresses where you may have had service or owned property

You can usually ask them to help you verify whether there are any unclaimed accounts under your name.

Step 2: Verify the Listing and Confirm It’s Really Yours

If the search shows something that looks like your account, you’ll usually see:

• The name of the company (utility name or mortgage servicer)
• The city where the account was held
• The type of property (utilities, escrow, refund, overpayment, etc.)
• An approximate amount or value range

Before you claim, make sure it truly matches you:

• Check that the address or city lines up with where you lived.
• Confirm that the company name is familiar (for example, your old power company or mortgage bank).
• Look at the year or date, if listed, to see if it matches when you lived or had that account.

If the details do not match your history, the funds may belong to someone else with a similar name.

Step 3: Gather Documents You May Need to File a Claim

To claim unclaimed utility deposits or escrow funds in Georgia, you will typically be asked to prove your identity and your right to the funds.

Here are common documents that are often requested:

Proof of identity

• Government-issued photo ID:
  • Georgia driver’s license
  • State ID card
  • Passport
• Social Security number (often the full number, sometimes last four digits)

Proof of address or ownership

• Old utility bills showing your name and service address
• Old mortgage statements or escrow analysis statements
• Closing documents from a home sale
• Lease agreements or rental contracts (for utilities)
• Bank statements showing payments to the named company

Name change proof (if applicable)

If your name has changed, you may need:

• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Court order for legal name change

For heirs or estates

If you are claiming on behalf of a deceased relative, expect to provide:

• Death certificate
• Proof you are the legal heir or executor, such as:
  • Letters testamentary
  • Will/probate documents
  • Affidavit of heirship (if applicable in your situation)

The exact requirements can vary by case. The Georgia unclaimed property office or the instructions on the official claim form will list which documents are required.

Step 4: Submit Your Claim Through Official Channels

How claims are usually submitted

After you find a listing in your name, the next steps often look like this:

1. Start the claim
   On the official Georgia unclaimed property website, you can typically:

   • Select the entry you believe is yours
   • Click something like “Start a claim” or “File a claim”
   • Answer basic questions about your identity and relationship to the account

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

   • Download a claim form
   • Request that a paper form be mailed to you
   • Call the unclaimed property office and ask for instructions on mail-in claims

2. Complete the claim form
   Forms usually ask for:

   • Your current name
   • Any previous names
   • Current address and phone number
   • Last Georgia address connected to the account
   • The property ID or claim number (assigned in the search results)

3. Attach required documents
   You will typically need to attach copies (not originals) of:

   • ID
   • Proof of address/ownership
   • Name change documents
   • Estate or legal documents, if claiming for someone else

4. Sign and submit
   Some claims require:

   • Your signature (sometimes notarized)
   • Submission online, by mail, or occasionally in person at a state office
     The official instructions from the Georgia unclaimed property office will describe the exact submission options.

What happens after you submit a claim

Once the official office receives your claim:

• They usually review your documents to verify identity and eligibility.
• They may contact you by mail, email, or phone if more information is needed.
• Processing times can vary. Some claims are handled in a few weeks; more complex claims (for estates or older accounts) can take longer.

If your claim is approved, the state typically issues:

• A check mailed to your current address, or
• Another official payment method described in their instructions

How and when you receive payment will depend on Georgia’s current procedures.

Directly Contacting Utilities or Mortgage Servicers in Georgia

Not all money goes to the state right away. In some cases, older or very recent refunds may still be held by the company itself.

When to contact the utility company directly

It may be helpful to call your old utility company if:

• You recently moved (within the last 1–2 years)
• Your account was closed not long ago
• You never received a final bill or deposit refund

Ask to speak with customer service or billing and request:

• Confirmation of any credit or deposit left on your closed account
• The status of any refund or deposit that should have been returned
• Whether they have turned the funds over to the State of Georgia yet

Be prepared with:

• Your old account number (if you have it)
• The service address
• Your name at the time of service
• Approximate service dates

When to contact your mortgage servicer

For escrow surplus or unclaimed escrow funds, contact the mortgage servicer that handled your loan, particularly if:

• You recently paid off or refinanced your mortgage
• You received a letter about an escrow surplus but never a check
• You have not received an annual escrow analysis and believe there should be a refund

Ask them to:

• Review your account history
• Confirm if there was an escrow surplus
• Tell you whether they:
  • Sent a check (and if it was cashed or expired), or
  • Escheated (turned over) the funds to the State of Georgia

If the mortgage company states they forwarded funds to the state, you can then search the Georgia unclaimed property database using that information.

Quick Comparison: State Unclaimed Property vs. Direct Company Contact

Using both approaches—state search plus direct company contact—can increase your chances of finding all funds that may belong to you.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

People sometimes face delays or denials when claiming unclaimed utility deposits or escrow funds in Georgia. Common issues include:

• Incomplete claim forms
  Missing signatures, skipped questions, or not including the property ID number can slow things down.

• Insufficient proof of identity
  Submitting an expired ID, unclear copies, or documents that do not match the name on the account can delay verification.

• No proof of address or ownership
  If the state cannot link you to the address or company shown on the account, they may ask for:

  • Old bills, statements, or tax documents
  • Additional paperwork connecting you to that period

• Name change not documented
  If your current name is different from the name on the account and you do not provide marriage, divorce, or court documents, the claim may be held or denied.

• Heir/estate claims without legal documentation
  When claiming for a deceased person, you typically must show that you are legally entitled to inherit or manage their estate.

If your claim is denied, you can usually:

• Contact the Georgia unclaimed property office directly
• Ask for a clear explanation of what was missing or why the claim was rejected
• Submit additional documents or a corrected claim, if allowed

Some people also choose to consult with an attorney or legal aid organization if the amount is large or the estate is complex.

How to Avoid Missing Future Utility Deposits or Escrow Refunds

To reduce the chance of money going unclaimed in the future:

• Update your mailing address
  When you move, give your new address to:

  • All utility companies
  • Your mortgage servicer
  • Your bank and credit card issuers

• Set up mail forwarding
  Use USPS mail forwarding for at least a year when you move so you catch any late-arriving checks.

• Watch final bills and statements
  Carefully review:

  • Final utility bills for deposit credits or refunds
  • Annual escrow analysis from your mortgage servicer

• Keep records
  Save:

  • Account numbers
  • Closing statements
  • Online confirmations of closed accounts

• Check unclaimed property periodically
  Many people make it a habit to search their state’s official unclaimed property site every year or two, especially after big life changes like moving, marriage, divorce, or paying off a home.

Scam-Prevention Tips: Make Sure You’re Using Official Channels

Because unclaimed money is involved, scammers sometimes target people who are searching for or claiming funds.

Use these tips to protect yourself:

• Confirm it’s an official government site or office

  • Look for clear government or state branding.
  • If unsure, call the Georgia Department of Revenue main line and ask for the unclaimed property unit.

• Be cautious with unsolicited offers
  Some businesses legally operate as “finders” and charge a fee to help you claim your money. You do not have to use them. In many cases, you can claim funds directly from the state at no cost, other than your time.

• Avoid giving personal information to unknown callers or links

  • Do not share your full Social Security number, bank information, or ID images with anyone who contacts you first.
  • Instead, hang up or close the message, then independently look up the official phone number or website for Georgia’s unclaimed property office and contact them yourself.

• Never pay large upfront fees
  Government agencies handling unclaimed property typically do not charge large upfront fees to file a claim. If someone demands payment before even showing you details, be cautious.

If something feels suspicious, you can confirm by contacting:

• The Georgia Department of Revenue
• Your state Attorney General’s consumer protection division
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consumer helpline

If You Don’t Find Money in Georgia’s System

If a search of Georgia’s unclaimed property database does not show any results, you still have options:

• Search under variations of your name

  • Try different spellings, middle initials, or prior names.
  • Check business names if you had utilities or a mortgage in a company name.

• Search in other states
  If you lived or worked in other states, you may have unclaimed funds there instead. Each state has its own unclaimed property office and website.

• Check directly with companies

  • Call old utility companies or mortgage servicers to ask if any credits or deposits remain.
  • Ask if they ever turned funds over to state unclaimed property offices.

Even if you do not find funds now, it may still be worth repeating the search in the future—sometimes companies report and transfer funds to the state after you initially check.

By understanding how unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds are handled in Georgia, you can more confidently search for and claim any money that may be owed to you. The key actions are:

• Search the official Georgia unclaimed property system
• Gather proof of identity and connection to old utility or mortgage accounts
• Submit claims through official state channels
• Follow up with former utilities or mortgage servicers when needed

All claiming and payment steps are completed through official Georgia agencies and the companies that held your accounts, not through HowToGetAssistance.org.