Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Massachusetts: Step‑by‑Step Guide to Claiming What You’re Owed

Many people move, change utility providers, or pay off a mortgage in Massachusetts without realizing they may be leaving money behind in the form of unclaimed utility deposits or mortgage escrow refunds.

This guide explains, in plain English, how these funds typically end up unclaimed in Massachusetts and what you can do to track them down and request them through official state and company channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site. It is not a government office, not a utility company, and not a portal where you can file claims. This article is meant to help you understand the usual process so you can contact the correct official office and take the next step.

Understanding Unclaimed Money in Massachusetts

What counts as “unclaimed” utility or escrow money?

In Massachusetts, money is often treated as unclaimed property when:

• A business or institution (like a utility company or mortgage servicer) owes you money, and
• They cannot reach you for a certain period of time (often several years), and
• The account is considered inactive or abandoned under state law.

For the topics in this guide, that usually includes:

• Utility deposits: Up‑front deposits you paid for:
  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Water and sewer (in some areas)
  • Phone, cable, or internet (in some cases)
• Mortgage escrow funds:
  • Money held by your mortgage servicer to pay:
    • Property taxes
    • Homeowners insurance
    • Mortgage insurance
  • Surpluses or refunds when:
    • You refinance
    • Pay off the mortgage
    • Change insurance or tax amounts
    • The loan is transferred to another servicer

When these funds cannot be returned to you directly, they are often turned over to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ unclaimed property program run by the state treasurer.

How Utility Deposits Work in Massachusetts

Why utilities collect deposits

Utility companies in Massachusetts may require a security deposit when:

• You have limited or no credit history
• You have a past‑due balance with that company
• You are starting service after a prior shutoff for nonpayment
• The account is opened in the name of a business with limited payment history

The deposit is meant to protect the company if bills are not paid. Often, the deposit:

• Is credited back to you after a set period of on‑time payments, or
• Is applied to your final bill when you close the account

If the company cannot reach you to return leftover money, it may become unclaimed property.

When you might be owed a utility deposit refund

You might have money waiting if you:

• Moved and closed a utility account
• Changed roommates or account names
• Opened a new account after a shutoff and paid a deposit
• Paid a high deposit for service at a rental property
• Had service with a company that was later sold or merged

If the final bill was less than your deposit, you should have received a refund check or credit. If it was never cashed or the check was returned, that credit may eventually be turned over to the state unclaimed property office.

How Mortgage Escrow Funds Work in Massachusetts

What is an escrow account?

Most mortgage payments in Massachusetts include an amount set aside into an escrow account. Your loan servicer uses this money to pay:

• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• Sometimes private mortgage insurance (PMI) or other required charges

Each year, the servicer reviews the account. If you’ve paid in more than needed, a surplus may be due back to you.

Common situations that create escrow refunds

You may be owed escrow money if you:

• Refinanced your home loan
• Paid off your mortgage
• Sold your home
• Changed insurance policies or saw a large tax adjustment
• Your loan servicer changed (your mortgage was sold to another company)

Usually, the servicer sends a refund check to your last address on file. If that check is never cashed or is returned as undeliverable, it may eventually be reported as unclaimed property to the state.

Massachusetts Unclaimed Property Program: How It Fits In

Massachusetts has a statewide unclaimed property program administered by the Office of the State Treasurer. This office:

• Receives unclaimed funds from:
  • Utility companies
  • Banks and credit unions
  • Mortgage servicers
  • Insurance companies
  • Other businesses and institutions
• Holds that money until the rightful owner (or heirs) claim it

In many cases, unclaimed utility deposits and escrow refunds end up here.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not connected with this office. To check for and claim money, you need to go through the official Massachusetts unclaimed property channels, not through this site.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Find Unclaimed Utility Deposits in Massachusetts

Step 1: Gather basic information

Before you search, it helps to collect:

• Your full legal name (including past names or married names)
• Previous addresses in Massachusetts
• Name(s) of utility companies you used:
  • Electric (for example, Eversource, National Grid, a municipal light plant)
  • Gas
  • Water/sewer (if billed separately)
  • Phone, cable, internet providers
• Approximate dates of service (years are usually enough)

Having this information ready will help you recognize any listing you find.

Step 2: Search Massachusetts’ official unclaimed property database

The state offers an official online search tool for unclaimed property. To find it, you can:

• Search online for:
  “Massachusetts unclaimed property treasurer”
  or
  “Massachusetts treasury unclaimed property search”

On the official site, you can usually search by:

• Last name and first name
• Business name (if the account was in a business’ name)
• In some cases, city or town

If you see:

• Entries from a utility provider you recognize
  or
• Entries from a city/town or authority where you received water/sewer

those could be related to a utility deposit refund or credit.

Step 3: Consider contacting past utility companies directly

If you believe you had a deposit but don’t see it in the state database, you can:

1. Find the customer service number on:
   • An old bill, or
   • The company’s official website (search by company name)
2. Call and ask if there is any closed account credit or unrefunded deposit under:
   • Your name
   • A past spouse’s name
   • Your old address

Sometimes, if the account has not yet been turned over to the state, the utility may still hold the credit and may have its own process to refund it.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Find Unclaimed Escrow Funds in Massachusetts

Step 1: Review your mortgage history

Make a list of:

• All mortgage lenders and servicers you have had on each Massachusetts property
• Approximate loan start and end dates
• Any times you:
  • Refinanced
  • Sold a home
  • Paid off a mortgage early
  • Had your loan transferred to a new servicer

Escrow refunds are most common during these transitions.

Step 2: Search the Massachusetts unclaimed property database

Just like with utility deposits, use the official Massachusetts unclaimed property search on the state treasurer’s site.

Look for entries from:

• Mortgage companies
• Banks or credit unions
• Loan servicing companies
• Insurance or tax payment services linked to your mortgage

Descriptions may not always say “escrow refund,” so match:

• Company name
• Approximate date
• Your name and address

Step 3: Contact former mortgage servicers, if needed

If you strongly suspect an escrow surplus but don’t see anything in the state search, you can:

1. Look up old mortgage statements or 1098 tax forms to find the servicer’s name.
2. Search online for the company’s official customer service number.
3. Call and ask whether:
   • There was an escrow surplus at payoff, refinance, or transfer, and
   • Any refund check was issued and whether it was cashed.

If the funds are still with the company, they may have their own process to re‑issue a check, separate from the state program.

Claiming Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds: What to Expect

Once you identify property that appears to belong to you in the Massachusetts unclaimed property search, the next steps typically involve filing a claim with the state treasurer’s office.

HowToGetAssistance.org does not process these claims. You must use the official state process.

Typical documents you may need

Requirements can vary by case, but commonly requested documents include:

• Proof of identity
  • Current photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
  • Social Security number (often last four digits)
• Proof of address or association with the property
  • Old utility bill at the address
  • Old mortgage statement
  • Lease agreement or deed
  • Bank statements showing payments
• Name change documentation (if applicable)
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree
  • Legal name change order
• For heirs claiming funds:
  • Death certificate of the original owner
  • Proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate)
  • Estate documents, if required (letters of administration, will, etc.)

It is common for the state to ask for copies (and sometimes certified copies) to prove you are the rightful owner.

How the claim process usually works

While details can change, a typical Massachusetts unclaimed property claim might involve:

1. Submitting a claim form
   • Online through the official unclaimed property site
     or
   • By mail, after printing and signing a claim form
2. Attaching required documentation
   • Uploading scanned copies online
     or
   • Mailing photocopies with your claim form
3. Waiting for review
   • The state office reviews your claim, verifies your identity, and confirms ownership.
4. Receiving payment
   • If approved, you usually receive:
     • A check in the mail, or
     • In some cases, other methods if offered by the state

Processing times can vary based on:

• How complex your claim is
• How many claims the office is handling
• Whether additional documents are requested

Quick Comparison: Utility Deposits vs. Escrow Funds in Massachusetts

Common Issues That Delay or Complicate Claims

1. Name differences or changes

Problems can arise when the name on the unclaimed property listing does not match your current legal name, for example:

• Maiden vs. married name
• Nicknames vs. full legal names
• Typos or misspellings

In these cases, you may need to provide additional documentation showing:

• The name used at the time of the account, and
• How it connects to your current name.

2. Old addresses with limited proof

If the property is tied to a very old address, you may no longer have:

• Old bills
• Old leases
• Old bank statements

You may need to get creative when tracking down documents. Some people:

• Ask banks for archived statements (if available)
• Look for old tax records that list the address
• Use public records (like deeds) when the property is a house they owned

3. Incomplete claim forms

Claims can be delayed if:

• Required sections are left blank
• Signatures are missing
• Required supporting documents are not included

Before submitting, review the instructions on the official state site carefully and double‑check that you have followed each step.

4. Heir or estate claims

If the person who owned the utility deposit or escrow funds has passed away, the claim process can be more complex. The state may require:

• Documents showing you are the legal heir or estate representative
• Estate paperwork from the probate court

In these cases, it may be helpful to contact the unclaimed property office directly to ask what is required for your situation.

How to Confirm You’re Using an Official Massachusetts Channel

Because unclaimed property can involve personal information, it’s important to make sure you are working through legitimate state and company contacts.

Here are some ways to verify:

• ✅ Look for “.gov” in official state websites.
  Massachusetts government offices, including the treasurer, typically use “.gov” domains.

• ✅ Call phone numbers from trusted sources.
  Use numbers found:

  • On official state websites
  • On utility or mortgage statements
  • In the government pages of a local phone directory

• ✅ Be cautious about unsolicited contacts.
  If someone contacts you out of the blue claiming you have unclaimed money and asking for a fee:

  • Treat it with caution.
  • Contact the state unclaimed property office directly using information you look up yourself.

• ✅ Do not pay large fees to “find” your money.
  While some “finder” services exist, you can usually search the state database and file claims on your own at no cost through official channels.

What If You Don’t Find Anything?

It’s common for people to search and not find unclaimed property in their name. That does not mean an error has occurred; it may simply mean:

• Your deposit was already:
  • Applied to a final bill, or
  • Refunded and used
• The funds haven’t yet been reported as unclaimed
• The account was never set up with your name or Social Security number

You can consider:

• Searching under:
  • Former names
  • Common misspellings
• Checking for family members who might have unclaimed funds
• Contacting:
  • Past utility companies
  • Past mortgage servicers if you strongly believe a refund should exist

You may also choose to repeat the search periodically, as new unclaimed property is reported over time.

Other Resources That May Help

While HowToGetAssistance.org does not process claims, some resources can help you navigate the process:

• Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer – Unclaimed Property Division

  • Use the official state website (search “Massachusetts unclaimed property treasury”) for:
    • The online search tool
    • Instructions for filing claims
    • Contact information for questions

• Massachusetts utilities and mortgage servicers

  • Customer service departments can:
    • Tell you whether a deposit or escrow surplus was issued
    • Confirm whether money was turned over to the state

• Massachusetts 211 (information and referral line)

  • Can often direct you to:
    • Consumer assistance agencies
    • Legal aid organizations
    • Financial counseling services

By understanding how unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds are handled in Massachusetts, and by using the official state unclaimed property search and claim process, you can give yourself the best chance of recovering money that belongs to you or your family.