Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Maine: How to Find and Claim Your Money

If you have ever paid a security deposit to a utility company or had escrow funds held by a mortgage lender or landlord in Maine, you might still have money sitting unclaimed in your name. This guide explains, in plain English, how unclaimed funds usually work in Maine and how you can try to locate and claim them through official channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site. It is not a government agency and does not process claims. This article is meant to help you understand the usual steps so you can follow up with the official Maine offices and utilities that handle these funds.

Understanding Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Maine

What are “unclaimed funds”?

In Maine, unclaimed property typically refers to money or assets that belong to you but have been inactive or unclaimed for a certain period of time. For utility deposits and escrow funds, this can happen when:

• You move and forget to ask for your utility security deposit refund
• A mortgage escrow account (for taxes or insurance) has a surplus that was never delivered to you
• A landlord’s escrow account holds your security deposit, but you didn’t receive it back and the landlord could not reach you
• Your mailing address or name changed, and checks were returned or never cashed

After a period defined by Maine law, companies generally must turn these funds over to the State of Maine’s unclaimed property program, where you can search for and claim them.

Common Types of Unclaimed Funds in Maine

For most Maine residents, unclaimed utility or escrow money tends to fall into a few main categories:

1. Utility Security Deposits

You might have a utility deposit if you ever set up service with companies such as:

• Electric utilities
• Natural gas utilities
• Water or sewer utilities
• Some telephone or internet providers that required deposits

Deposits are often collected when:

• You have limited or no credit history
• You have a past-due balance or previous shutoff
• You are opening service at a new address

If your account is closed, the utility usually applies the deposit to your final bill. If a credit balance remains, they may:

• Mail a check to your address on file, or
• Try to refund electronically

If they cannot locate you, the balance may eventually be reported to the state’s unclaimed property office.

2. Mortgage Escrow Surpluses

If you have or had a mortgage in Maine, your lender or servicer may have held an escrow account to pay:

• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• Sometimes mortgage insurance

At least once a year, servicers usually review the escrow account. If there is an overage over a certain amount, they typically must:

• Send you a refund check, or
• Apply a credit, depending on your loan terms

If that refund check is never cashed or gets returned, the funds can later be turned over to the state as unclaimed property.

3. Tenant Security Deposits in Escrow

Maine landlords are generally required to:

• Hold residential tenant security deposits in separate escrow accounts, and
• Return the deposit (minus any lawful deductions) within a set timeframe after you move out, as defined by state law

If a landlord cannot contact a former tenant, or if the tenant never cashes the deposit refund check, those funds may eventually be considered unclaimed and handled under Maine’s unclaimed property rules.

Who Typically Has Unclaimed Utility or Escrow Funds?

You may have unclaimed funds in Maine if you:

• Lived in Maine in the past and paid a utility deposit
• Closed a utility account and moved without giving a forwarding address
• Had a Maine mortgage with an escrow account at any point
• Rented an apartment or house in Maine and paid a security deposit
• Changed your name (for example, after marriage or divorce) or changed addresses frequently
• Never received or never cashed a refund check from a utility, landlord, or mortgage servicer

Even if you are not sure, it is often worth checking periodically. People are sometimes surprised by amounts from old accounts they forgot about.

Where Unclaimed Funds Are Usually Held in Maine

Unclaimed utility deposits and escrow refunds in Maine are usually handled in two stages:

1. With the original holder

   • Utility company, landlord, mortgage servicer, or bank
   • They hold the funds for a period while trying to contact you

2. With the Maine unclaimed property program

   • After a certain time with no contact, companies typically must turn over the funds to the State of Maine
   • The state then keeps a central database where individuals can search for their names and file official claims

You cannot claim money through HowToGetAssistance.org. To actually claim funds, you would need to go through the company that held your deposit or the official Maine unclaimed property office, depending on where the funds are now.

Step-by-Step: How to Search for Unclaimed Utility or Escrow Funds in Maine

Step 1: Gather Basic Information

Before you start, it helps to collect:

• Your full legal name, and any former names (maiden name, prior married name, nicknames used on accounts)
• Current and past Maine addresses
• Approximate years you:
  • Lived at each address
  • Held utility accounts (electric, gas, water, etc.)
  • Rented properties or had a mortgage

If you have past documents, they may be helpful later:

• Old utility bills or account numbers
• Lease agreements or landlord contact information
• Mortgage statements or loan numbers
• Any refund letters or checks you never deposited

You do not need all of this to start your search, but it can make the process smoother.

Step 2: Search Maine’s Official Unclaimed Property System

Maine, like most states, operates an official unclaimed property program. While this article cannot provide direct links, you can typically find it by:

• Searching online for: “Maine unclaimed property” or
• Visiting the Maine state treasurer or revenue department website and looking for “Unclaimed Property”

Once you locate the official site, you can usually:

1. Search by your name
2. Optionally filter by:
   • City or town
   • Partial address
   • Business name (if you owned a small business)

Look for entries that may match:

• Your current or former names
• Cities or towns in Maine where you lived or had utilities
• Addresses that look familiar

If you see a record, it often lists:

• The holder (for example, a utility company, mortgage company, or financial institution)
• The type of property (such as “Utility refund,” “Deposit,” “Escrow,” or “Bank account”)
• Sometimes an approximate amount or range, depending on the system

Step 3: Confirm That the Record Is Really Yours

There may be records for people with the same name. Before starting a claim, check:

• Spelling of your name
• Last known address or city on the record
• The holder name (does it look like a company you dealt with?)

If you are unsure, you can often contact the unclaimed property office using the phone number or email listed on the official Maine state site and ask what documents they would need to verify if it is your property.

How to Claim Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Maine

Once you find potential matches in the official Maine unclaimed property database, claiming the funds typically involves a formal process:

Step 1: Start a Claim Through the Official Maine Channel

On the official Maine unclaimed property site, there is usually a way to:

• Select the item(s) that belong to you
• Start a claim request either online or by printing claim forms

Common steps include:

1. Providing basic personal information:

   • Full name
   • Date of birth
   • Current address
   • Contact information

2. Confirming details that match the record:

   • Past address
   • Previous name
   • Relationship to the listed owner (if claiming on behalf of someone else)

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot submit claims for you. All claims must go directly through the state’s official unclaimed property office or any online portal they maintain.

Step 2: Gather Documentation

Maine’s unclaimed property office usually requires supporting documents to prove:

• Your identity
• Your connection to the address or account listed

Common documents include:

• Government-issued photo ID

  • Maine driver’s license
  • State ID card
  • Passport

• Proof of current address

  • Recent utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Lease agreement

• Proof of prior address or name, if needed

  • Old utility bill or statement showing your name and the old address
  • Mortgage statement
  • Prior lease or rental agreement
  • Marriage certificate or legal name change document

• For estates or deceased relatives (if you are claiming on their behalf):

  • Death certificate
  • Legal documents naming you as executor, administrator, or heir (such as letters testamentary or small estate affidavits, depending on Maine law)

The exact list can vary by case, so it is a good idea to review instructions from the official Maine unclaimed property office during the claim process.

Step 3: Submit the Claim Package

Depending on how Maine’s current system is set up, you may be asked to:

• Upload documents online via the state’s unclaimed property portal, and/or
• Print, sign, and mail forms and copies of your documentation to the address listed by the unclaimed property office

Some claims require a notarized signature. Notaries can often be found at:

• Banks or credit unions
• Some shipping or mailing stores
• Law offices

Follow the instructions exactly, including:

• Signing where required
• Including all requested documents
• Using the mailing address or upload form specified by the official site

What Happens After You File a Claim?

Once you formally submit your claim to Maine’s unclaimed property office:

1. Initial Review

   • Staff review your forms and documents
   • They may check your identity against state records and past addresses

2. Requests for Additional Information

   • If something is missing or unclear, you may be contacted by mail, phone, or email
   • You may need to send more documents, such as clearer ID copies or additional address proof

3. Approval or Denial

   • If approved, the state typically issues a check in your name or otherwise processes the refund, following its standard procedures
   • If denied, they may explain the reason and sometimes provide information on how to appeal or reapply with more documentation

Processing times can vary depending on:

• How many claims the office is handling
• How complex your claim is
• Whether more information is required

If you have concerns about a delay, you can usually contact the Maine unclaimed property office using the official phone number or email listed on the state’s website.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

When people try to claim unclaimed utility or escrow funds in Maine, some common issues can slow down or block the process:

• Incomplete forms

  • Missing signatures
  • Leaving sections blank without explanation

• Insufficient proof of identity or ownership

  • ID expired or too blurry to read
  • No document linking you to the old address

• Name does not clearly match

  • A maiden name or prior name is on the unclaimed property record, but no legal proof of name change is provided

• Claiming on behalf of someone else without legal authority

  • No court documents or estate paperwork for a deceased relative’s funds

• Wrong owner

  • Another person with the same or similar name might actually be the owner

If your claim is denied or returned for more information, you can:

• Carefully review the explanation from the unclaimed property office
• Gather the specific documents requested
• Resubmit or appeal as instructed through the official Maine process

Can You Still Get a Refund Directly from a Utility, Landlord, or Mortgage Company?

Sometimes, especially for recent accounts, your deposit or refund may still be with the original company and not yet turned over to the state.

You can try:

1. Contacting the utility company’s customer service

   • Ask if there is any credit balance or deposit tied to your old account
   • Be prepared to provide your:
     • Old address
     • Approximate dates of service
     • Full name and possibly Social Security number (if they used it for identity verification)

2. Reaching out to your prior landlord or property manager

   • Ask whether they ever returned your security deposit
   • Request documentation showing whether the deposit was applied, refunded, or turned over to the state

3. Contacting your former mortgage servicer

   • Ask for a final escrow analysis or confirmation of any surplus refund issued when the loan was paid off or transferred
   • Verify if any refund check was mailed and what happened to it

If the company confirms that funds were turned over to the State of Maine as unclaimed property, you would then generally need to follow the state’s unclaimed property claim process described earlier.

Quick Comparison: Who to Contact and What You May Need

Time Limits and Deadlines

Unclaimed property rules typically work in two different timeframes:

1. Time before funds go to the state

   • Utilities, landlords, and lenders generally must hold your money for a certain number of years with no contact before it is considered unclaimed
   • This “dormancy period” can vary by type of property and is based on Maine law

2. Time after funds are with the state

   • Many states, including Maine, allow residents to file claims for unclaimed property indefinitely
   • However, other factors (like estate or business status) can complicate older claims

Because rules can change, it is wise to:

• Check the official Maine unclaimed property website for current rules, and
• Contact the office directly if you are unsure whether you are still eligible to claim older funds

If You Do Not Qualify or Cannot Prove Ownership

Sometimes people discover unclaimed property records that might be theirs but cannot prove it, or they are told they do not qualify to claim the funds. Common scenarios:

• An old address cannot be tied to your name with available documents
• There is a record for a similar name, but it is not actually you
• You are trying to claim funds for a deceased relative, but legal estate steps were never completed

If this happens, your options may include:

• Searching for additional paperwork, like older bills or statements
• Speaking with an attorney or legal aid program in Maine about:
  • Estate issues
  • Name discrepancies
  • How to legally establish your right to the funds

You can also use 211 Maine (by dialing 2-1-1 within Maine) to ask about local legal aid organizations or housing counseling resources that may offer guidance, especially if the unclaimed funds involve rental deposits or housing-related escrow.

How to Avoid Scams and Make Sure You’re Using Official Channels

Because unclaimed money can be appealing, some scams try to charge high fees or collect personal data by pretending to “help” you claim your funds. To protect yourself:

• Verify you are on an official Maine government site

  • Look for clear identification that the site belongs to the State of Maine
  • Official sites usually list a government agency name (such as the state treasurer or revenue department), office address, and official phone numbers

• Be cautious about unsolicited calls, emails, or texts

  • If someone contacts you claiming you have unclaimed property and wants a fee or sensitive information, hang up or delete the message
  • Instead, go directly to the official state unclaimed property website or call the published government phone number yourself

• Know that you can usually claim property directly for free

  • Many people are able to file claims on their own at no cost, aside from any notary or mailing fees
  • Some legitimate “finder” services may charge a fee, but you are not required to use them

• Protect sensitive information

  • Do not share full Social Security numbers, bank information, or ID numbers with anyone unless you are sure you are dealing with the official Maine unclaimed property office or a verified utility, landlord, or lender

If something feels off, you can call the Maine state treasurer’s office or unclaimed property office using contact information you look up independently on official state sites—not from an email link.

By checking the official Maine unclaimed property search, contacting former utilities, landlords, and mortgage servicers, and gathering the right documents, many people are able to recover forgotten utility deposits and escrow funds that belong to them. All actual claiming and processing must go through the state’s official unclaimed property office or the original company, not through information sites like HowToGetAssistance.org.