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

Many Maryland residents move, switch utility companies, sell a home, or change banks without realizing they may have unclaimed money sitting in old accounts. Two common examples are unclaimed utility deposits and mortgage escrow funds.

This guide explains, in plain language, how unclaimed funds typically work in Maryland, how to check if you are owed money, and the usual steps to claim it through official state channels. HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency or a claim-filing site, but this overview can help you understand what to expect and where to go next.

What Are Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds?

Unclaimed utility deposits

A utility deposit is money you pay to start or continue service with a company such as:

• Electric or gas companies
• Water or sewer utilities
• Phone or internet providers (in some cases)

When you close your account or have a long history of on-time payments, you may be entitled to get that deposit back. If the company cannot find you (for example, if you moved and did not update your address), the refund might go unclaimed.

In Maryland, after a certain period of time with no contact or claim from you, companies are usually required to turn those unclaimed funds over to the state’s unclaimed property program, often managed by the Maryland Comptroller or a similar state agency.

Unclaimed escrow funds (usually from mortgages)

Escrow funds are often part of a home loan. Your mortgage servicer may collect extra money with your monthly payment to cover:

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

When you pay off your mortgage, refinance, sell the property, or switch mortgage servicers, there may be leftover money in your escrow account. The servicer is supposed to refund this to you.

If that refund check is never cashed, gets mailed to an old address, or is returned as undeliverable, the funds can eventually become unclaimed property and be sent to the state.

How Unclaimed Property Works in Maryland

Maryland, like other states, maintains a central unclaimed property system. This is not just for deposits and escrow; it can also include:

• Old bank accounts
• Paychecks or wages
• Insurance payouts
• Refund checks
• Investment accounts or dividends

For utility deposits and escrow funds, the basic pattern is usually:

1. Money is owed to you by a company (utility, mortgage servicer, etc.).
2. The company cannot reach you or you never respond/claim it.
3. After a certain period (often a few years), the company must turn the money over to the State of Maryland as “unclaimed property.”
4. The state holds the money and allows you (or your heirs) to file a claim to get it back.

Maryland typically does not keep this money permanently as long as the rightful owner eventually steps forward and proves ownership.

Step 1: Check If You Have Unclaimed Utility Deposits or Escrow Funds

You cannot claim money until you know it exists. The process usually has two parts:

A. Check directly with utility or mortgage companies

If you recently:

• Moved or closed a utility account
• Paid off a mortgage
• Refinance a home loan
• Switched mortgage servicers

you can:

• Call the company’s customer service and ask if there are any credits, deposits, or refunds owed under your name or old account numbers.
• Provide:
  • Your full name (and any former names)
  • Service address or property address
  • Approximate dates you had service or the loan

They may tell you:

• A refund was already issued and cashed
• A refund check was issued but never cashed (and may be reissued)
• Funds were already turned over to the State of Maryland as unclaimed property

B. Search Maryland’s unclaimed property database

Most states, including Maryland, provide a free online search tool for unclaimed property. To locate Maryland’s official site:

• Look for the Maryland Comptroller’s Office or Maryland unclaimed property on a search engine.
• Confirm the site ends with a “.gov” domain and clearly identifies itself as a state government website.

On the official search page, you can typically search by:

• Your current legal name
• Previous names (maiden name, married name, name before a legal change)
• Business name if you owned a business
• Address or city (in some tools)

You might see entries labeled like:

• “UTILITY REFUND”
• “UTILITY DEPOSIT”
• “MORTGAGE ESCROW”
• “ESCROW REFUND”
• “REFUND CHECK”

If a listing looks like it could be yours (your name, city, or address match), you can usually start a claim request directly through the state’s official portal or by following the instructions for claims by mail.

Step 2: Understand Who Typically Qualifies to Claim

For unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds in Maryland, the person who usually qualifies to claim is:

• The person whose name is on the original account, or
• A legal heir or representative (such as the executor of an estate) if the original owner is deceased or incapacitated.

Here are common scenarios:

• You personally had the utility or mortgage account
  • You typically file the claim yourself.
• Joint account (spouse, partner, roommate)
  • Either person may sometimes claim, but you may need documents showing both names or proof that you are the surviving account holder.
• Business account
  • An authorized business officer (owner, manager, or authorized representative) may need to provide proof of their authority.
• Deceased account holder
  • A surviving spouse, heir, or estate representative may claim, often with extra documentation such as a death certificate and estate papers.

If you are unsure, the state unclaimed property office or the utility/mortgage company’s customer service can typically explain who is allowed to file a claim and what they must show.

Step 3: Documents You May Need to Claim Funds

Maryland’s exact requirements can vary depending on:

• The amount of the claim
• Whether the owner is alive or deceased
• Whether the claim is for an individual or business

Below is a general guide to documents that are commonly requested.

Typical documents for an individual claim

You may be asked for:

• Government-issued photo ID
  • Driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID
• Proof of current address
  • Utility bill, lease, bank statement, or government mail
• Proof of connection to the old address or account
  • Old utility bill
  • Insurance statement
  • Mortgage statement
  • Tax bill showing your name and the address
• Social Security number (full or partial) or taxpayer ID
  • Sometimes used to match you to the claim

Additional documents for deceased owner / estate claims

If you are claiming on behalf of a deceased person, you may also need:

• Death certificate
• Proof of relationship
  • Marriage certificate (for spouses)
  • Birth certificate (for parents/children)
  • Other legal documents
• Estate documents, if applicable
  • Letters of administration or letters testamentary
  • A copy of the will (in some cases)
  • Court appointment naming you as executor or personal representative

Business claims

If you are claiming on behalf of a business (for example, a utility deposit in the company’s name), you may need:

• Business formation documents
  • Articles of incorporation or organization
• Proof you are authorized
  • Corporate resolution, letter on company letterhead, or similar documentation
• Tax ID number (Employer Identification Number, EIN)

If the exact document list is unclear on the Maryland unclaimed property site, you can typically call the office’s listed phone number to confirm what you should submit before sending anything.

Quick Reference: Who to Contact and What to Prepare

Step 4: How to File an Official Claim in Maryland

Once you have identified a potential match in Maryland’s system or confirmed a missing refund with a company, the next step is usually to submit a formal claim. The exact process can vary, but often includes some combination of the following:

A. Online claim through Maryland’s official portal

On the official Maryland unclaimed property website (usually part of the Comptroller or Treasury site), you can often:

1. Search your name and select the claim(s) that belong to you.
2. Click an option like “Start Claim” or “File a Claim.”
3. Enter required information:
   • Your current address and contact details
   • Identification details (may include part of SSN or date of birth)
4. Upload or mail supporting documents as instructed (ID, proof of address, etc.).

The portal may give you a claim number or confirmation to track the process.

B. Paper claim form (mail or fax)

In some cases, you may need to:

1. Print a claim form from the Maryland unclaimed property website, or request one by mail.
2. Fill it out by hand.
3. Attach copies (not originals unless specifically required) of:
   • Your ID
   • Proof of address
   • Any other documents requested
4. Mail it to the official address listed on the form, which is normally a state government office (for example, a division of the Maryland Comptroller).

C. Claiming directly from a utility or mortgage company

If your money has not yet been turned over to the state, the utility or mortgage company might:

• Reissue a refund check directly to you
• Ask you to verify your identity and address
• Set a timeline for when you should expect your refund

If they say funds were already sent to the state, you will usually need to go through the Maryland unclaimed property system instead.

What Happens After You File a Claim?

Once Maryland’s unclaimed property office receives your claim, typical steps may include:

1. Review and verification

   • Staff compare your information and documents with what they have on file for the unclaimed property.
   • They may verify your identity and your link to the original account or address.

2. Requests for additional information (if needed)

   • If something is missing, unclear, or does not match, they may contact you by mail, email, or phone (according to what you provided) to request extra documentation.

3. Approval or denial

   • If your claim is approved, the state usually issues a check in your name.
   • If your claim is denied, the notice often explains why and may outline how to provide additional proof or appeal.

4. Timeline

   • Processing times can vary, but many claims take several weeks or more, especially if documentation is complex or if there are many claims in the queue.

If you have not heard anything after a reasonable period (often 6–8 weeks, depending on any timeline listed on the official site), you can typically:

• Contact the Maryland unclaimed property office using the official phone number listed on the state website.
• Provide your claim number when you call, if you have one.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

Understanding typical issues can help you submit a stronger claim the first time.

Frequent causes of delays:

• Missing photo ID or ID that doesn’t meet requirements
• No proof of prior address, especially when the name is common
• Incomplete claim form (blank sections, missing signatures)
• Documents that are hard to read (blurry photos or scans)
• Name changes not explained (e.g., marriage or divorce)

Reasons a claim may be denied:

• The name and address do not match records strongly enough
• You filed for a claim that belongs to someone else with a similar name
• Insufficient proof that you are the heir or legal representative of a deceased owner
• Another valid claimant has already been paid (for example, another joint account holder or the court-appointed executor)

If your claim is denied, you are usually allowed to:

• Ask for clarification from Maryland’s unclaimed property office, and
• Submit additional documentation to address the specific reason given.

Some denials or disputes may require legal advice or help from an attorney, especially in estate or complex ownership cases. The state office can explain its processes, but it does not provide personal legal representation.

How to Avoid Problems and Make Your Claim Smoother

A few practical steps can make claiming unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds in Maryland easier:

• Gather documents before filing. Have your ID, any old bills, mortgage statements, and proof of address ready.
• Explain name changes. If your current name is different from what appears on the claim, include documentation such as a marriage certificate or court order.
• Double-check the claim form. Make sure all sections are filled out, signed, and dated where required.
• Use clear copies. If you upload or mail copies, make sure all text and numbers are readable.
• Keep your contact information updated. If you move while your claim is being processed, notify the Maryland unclaimed property office according to their instructions.

Verifying You’re Using Official Maryland Channels (Avoiding Scams)

Unclaimed property often attracts scammers who pretend to “help” for a fee or try to steal personal information. Some companies are legitimate “finders” and charge a fee, but many people prefer to work directly with the state for free.

To protect yourself:

• Look for .gov websites. Official Maryland sites will typically end in “.gov” and clearly state they are part of Maryland state government.
• Be wary of fees. The state unclaimed property program does not normally charge you a percentage of the money to file a claim directly.
• Guard your personal information.
  • Do not send your full Social Security number, bank account information, or ID to anyone unless you are sure they are an official state office or the actual utility/mortgage company.
• Be cautious with phone calls.
  • If someone calls claiming to be from the state and asks for sensitive information, you can hang up and call back using the phone number listed on the official Maryland government website.
• Check mailed offers carefully.
  • Some private “heir finder” or “asset recovery” companies send letters offering to help you claim money for a fee. In Maryland, you usually can claim your money directly through the state program without paying a third party.

If you are unsure whether a site or letter is legitimate, you can:

• Call Maryland’s unclaimed property office using the contact information listed on Maryland’s main government website or financial agency pages.
• Call Maryland 211 for help locating the correct official office.

If You Do Not Find Any Unclaimed Funds in Maryland

It is possible that:

• No deposits or escrow funds are owed to you, or
• The money has not yet been turned over to the state, or
• The property is listed under a slightly different name or spelling.

Consider these steps:

• Try alternative spellings of your name and any former names.
• Search under old addresses and cities where you lived in Maryland.
• Contact utilities or mortgage servicers directly if you believe a specific refund is missing.
• Remember that unclaimed property databases can update over time; some people choose to check once a year.

If you have lived in other states, you may also want to check their state unclaimed property programs separately, as these systems are usually managed at the state level, not nationally.

Other Resources That May Help Maryland Residents

If your goal is broader financial stability or help catching up on utility or housing bills—not just claiming old deposits—there may be other resources to explore:

• Local energy assistance programs (often run through county social services or community action agencies)
• LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), administered at the state and county level in Maryland
• Housing counseling agencies approved by HUD, which can help with mortgage issues and escrow questions
• Maryland 211 (by dialing 2-1-1), which can connect you with local assistance programs

These programs are separate from unclaimed property, but they can be helpful if you are facing current utility disconnection, housing instability, or other financial stress.

By checking for unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds in Maryland through the state’s official unclaimed property system and working directly with your past service providers, you can take practical steps to recover money that may belong to you. All actual applications, claims, and payments are handled through official Maryland government offices and the companies that held your accounts, not through HowToGetAssistance.org.