Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Missouri: How to Claim Money That Might Be Yours

Many people in Missouri leave money behind without realizing it—especially utility deposits and mortgage escrow funds. If you moved, changed service providers, refinanced a home, or paid off a mortgage, there’s a chance you may have unclaimed funds sitting in your name.

This guide explains, in plain language, how unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds typically work in Missouri, and how you can track down and claim money through official state and company channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site, not a government agency, not a utility company, and not a claims portal. You cannot file or check a claim here, but this article can help you understand what to do next and who to contact.

What Are Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds?

Unclaimed Utility Deposits

When you open a gas, electric, water, or internet account, the company may charge a security deposit. This deposit is usually:

• Held while you have service
• Refunded after you close the account and pay your final bill
• Refunded by check or credited to your account

Money can become unclaimed when:

• You move and don’t update your address
• A refund check is mailed but never cashed
• The company can’t reach you after you close the account

By law, after a certain time with no contact (called a dormancy period), Missouri utilities and other businesses must usually turn unclaimed funds over to the state’s unclaimed property program.

Unclaimed Escrow Funds

Mortgage lenders and loan servicers often collect extra money as part of your monthly payment to cover:

• Property taxes
• Homeowner’s insurance
• Sometimes mortgage insurance or other required charges

This money is held in an escrow account. You may be owed escrow refunds when:

• You pay off your mortgage
• You refinance with a different lender
• Property taxes or insurance costs drop, leaving extra in the account
• Your loan is transferred to a new servicer and the old account is closed

If the lender sends a refund check and it’s never cashed, or they cannot reach you, the funds may later be turned over to Missouri’s unclaimed property office.

Who Typically Has Unclaimed Funds in Missouri?

You may have unclaimed utility deposits or escrow funds in Missouri if you:

• Lived in Missouri and had utility services (electricity, gas, water, internet, phone, trash, etc.)
• Paid a security deposit to start service
• Moved, changed your name, or switched providers
• Paid off, refinanced, or sold a home with a mortgage that had an escrow account
• Had a mortgage that was sold or transferred to another servicer
• Forgot about an old rental property escrow account (such as for a second home)

Certain situations are especially common:

• College students or recent graduates who moved frequently
• Renters who opened and closed utility accounts several times
• Homeowners who refinanced multiple times or paid off a mortgage years ago
• Heirs of someone who has passed away and had a home or utilities in their name

Where to Look First: Utility vs. Escrow vs. Missouri Unclaimed Property

You may need to check multiple places to track down unclaimed funds.

1. Check with the Utility Company or Service Provider

For recent accounts, the utility or service provider may still be holding your deposit.

Common types of Missouri utilities and services to check:

• Electric companies
• Natural gas companies
• City or regional water/sewer providers
• Trash and recycling services
• Internet, cable, or landline phone companies

If your service was closed fairly recently, the company might:

• Still hold the deposit in their system
• Have issued a check that expired
• Be preparing to send funds to the state

2. Check with Your Mortgage Lender or Loan Servicer

For escrow refunds, start with whichever company serviced your loan at the time you:

• Paid off the mortgage
• Refinanced
• Had a large change to your taxes or insurance

In some cases, the current servicer and the former servicer are different. You may need to contact both if you are unsure when the refund should have been issued.

3. Check the Missouri Unclaimed Property Office

If a business cannot reach you for a set period, Missouri law typically requires them to send those funds to the state’s unclaimed property program (usually run by the State Treasurer’s Office).

You can usually:

• Search by name through the state’s official unclaimed property website
• File a claim online or through mailed forms
• Provide proof of identity and ownership to receive a payment

You can find the correct official office by searching for “Missouri unclaimed property State Treasurer” or checking the main state government website for the unclaimed property section.

Step-by-Step: How to Claim an Unclaimed Utility Deposit in Missouri

Step 1: Gather Basic Information

Before you call or contact anyone, it helps to gather:

• Your full legal name, and any former names (maiden name, married name, etc.)
• Previous Missouri addresses, including apartments and rentals
• The approximate dates you had service
• The names of utility companies you remember using
• Any old account numbers or bills, if you still have them

This information helps the company or state office locate your account faster.

Step 2: Contact the Utility Company

For each utility you remember using, you can:

• Call the customer service line
• Ask if they still have your closed account record
• Say you’d like to check if there is any unclaimed or unreturned security deposit in your name

Be prepared to verify:

• Your identity (name, date of birth, possibly last four digits of your SSN)
• Your service address in Missouri
• Your move-out date or approximate time the account was closed

If they confirm they still hold your deposit, they will usually explain how they can:

• Reissue a refund check, or
• Apply a credit if you still have another active account

If they say your deposit has been sent to Missouri’s unclaimed property program, move to Step 3.

Step 3: Search for Unclaimed Property with the State

Most people in Missouri can search for unclaimed property by:

1. Going to the Missouri unclaimed property section of the state government website
2. Typing in their first and last name
3. Looking for entries that match:
   • Your current name
   • Any former names
   • Your city or old addresses

If you see a listing that looks like your old utility company or address, that may be your unclaimed utility deposit.

Step 4: File an Official Claim with the State

Each state has its own process, but in Missouri you can usually:

• Submit a claim online through the official unclaimed property portal, or
• Print and mail a form with copies of supporting documents

You may be asked to provide:

• Valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or other government ID)
• Proof of address matching the claim (old bill, lease, tax record, or bank statement)
• Proof of name change, if applicable (marriage certificate, court order)
• Social Security number or part of it to verify your identity

Once the state reviews and approves your claim, they typically mail you a check.

Step-by-Step: How to Claim Unclaimed Escrow Funds in Missouri

Step 1: Identify Your Lender or Servicer

If you’re not sure who handled your escrow, think back to when you:

• Bought your home
• Refinanced your mortgage
• Paid off the loan or sold the property

Look for:

• Old mortgage statements
• Loan documents from closing
• Letters about your loan being transferred to a new servicer

The name on those documents is the lender or loan servicer to contact first.

Step 2: Ask About Escrow Refunds

When you reach the mortgage company’s customer service or escrow department, you can say you want to:

• Confirm whether there was any escrow surplus or refund after:
  • Paying off your loan, or
  • Refinancing, or
  • A major change in taxes/insurance

Be ready to provide:

• Your full name
• The property address in Missouri
• The approximate payoff or refinance date
• Your loan number, if available

They may tell you:

• A refund was already issued and cashed
• A refund was issued but the check expired or was returned
• The funds were sent to Missouri’s unclaimed property office

If the company still holds the money, ask what you need to do to have the refund reissued.

Step 3: If They Sent Funds to the State, Search Unclaimed Property

If the mortgage company confirms that funds were turned over to Missouri, you will typically need to:

1. Use the Missouri unclaimed property search
2. Look for your name associated with:
   • The lender’s or servicer’s name, or
   • The property address or city

If you find a claim that matches your old mortgage company, follow the state’s instructions to file a claim (online or by mail).

Step 4: Provide Extra Documents for Escrow Funds

For escrow-related claims, the unclaimed property office may ask for extra documentation to prove ownership, such as:

• Mortgage payoff statement
• Settlement statement from closing or refinancing
• Copies of loan documents showing your name and the property address
• Deed or other ownership records, if available

These documents help show that you were the owner or borrower connected to the escrow account.

Key Documents You May Need

Here is a quick guide to common documents for both utility deposits and escrow funds:

Exact requirements can vary by company and by Missouri’s unclaimed property office, so it is common to be asked for additional documents.

How Long Do You Have to Claim Unclaimed Funds in Missouri?

In many states, including Missouri, unclaimed property held by the state does not expire. Once the funds have been transferred to the unclaimed property office, they are typically held until the rightful owner or heir claims them.

However:

• Individual utility companies or mortgage lenders may only hold unclaimed funds for a limited period before turning them over to the state.
• Refund checks issued directly by a business often have expiration dates.

If you suspect you are owed money, it is usually best to:

• Contact the company as soon as possible, and
• Search the Missouri unclaimed property database regularly under all former names.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

People sometimes run into delays when claiming unclaimed deposits or escrow funds. Typical reasons include:

• Name mismatch

  • For example, the record is under a maiden name, nickname, or misspelled name.
  • Solution: Provide name change documents and any evidence that links you to the old name.

• Not enough proof of address or account

  • You cannot show you lived at the address connected to the claim.
  • Solution: Gather older documents like old bills, leases, bank statements, or tax records with that address.

• Multiple people with the same name

  • The state or company needs extra proof that you are the correct person.
  • Solution: Provide detailed information: former addresses, date of birth, last four digits of SSN if requested on official forms.

• Heir or estate situations

  • The named owner is deceased, and an heir is filing the claim.
  • Solution: Be prepared with probate documents, wills, or other legal papers showing your right to inherit.

If your claim is rejected, you can usually:

• Ask the unclaimed property office or company why the claim was denied
• Provide any additional documents they request
• In some cases, submit an appeal or reconsideration request following their official process

What If You Do Not Qualify or Cannot Prove Ownership?

If you cannot meet the proof requirements, the company or state may not be able to release the funds. In that situation, some people:

• Re-check old paperwork, files, or email archives for more documentation
• Ask former landlords, property managers, or closing agents if they have old records
• Speak with family members or co-borrowers who may have kept copies

If the money clearly does not belong to you—such as a claim in a different person’s name that you cannot legally connect to—then the safest path is to leave it unclaimed. Attempting to claim funds that belong to someone else can create legal problems.

How to Tell You’re Using an Official Channel (and Avoid Scams)

Because unclaimed money can be an attractive target for scams, it’s important to verify that you are dealing with legitimate offices.

Use these checks:

• Look for “.gov” domains

  • Missouri state government unclaimed property websites typically use a .gov web address.
  • Avoid entering personal information on sites that look unofficial or ask for unusual fees.

• Be cautious with “third-party finders”

  • Some private companies offer to locate unclaimed property for a fee.
  • In many cases, you can search and file claims yourself for free through the official state office.

• Watch for upfront payment demands

  • The Missouri unclaimed property office does not usually require you to pay a fee simply to claim your own funds.
  • If someone demands large upfront fees or requests payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, treat it as a warning sign.

• Confirm by phone using public numbers

  • If you are unsure, independently look up the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office or the relevant utility or lender’s customer service number using a trusted source.
  • Call and confirm that the contact or website you are using is official.

• Protect your personal data

  • Official claim forms may legitimately ask for your Social Security number, but share it only through verified, secure channels.
  • Avoid sending sensitive information by regular email unless specifically instructed by the official office and you are certain it is secure.

Tips for Missouri Residents to Prevent Future Unclaimed Funds

While not every situation can be prevented, these steps can reduce the chance of leaving money behind:

• Update your mailing address

  • When you move, notify:
    • Utility companies
    • Mortgage lenders or servicers
    • Banks and insurance companies

• Monitor your final bills

  • After closing an account, make sure you:
    • Receive and review the final statement
    • Confirm whether there is a deposit refund or credit due

• Keep a simple record

  • Write down:
    • Names of utility companies used
    • Account numbers and service addresses
    • Dates when you started and stopped service

• Track mortgage changes

  • When you refinance or pay off a mortgage:
    • Ask specifically about any escrow surplus
    • Make a note of when and how the refund will be sent

• Check Missouri’s unclaimed property periodically

  • Many people find funds from old jobs, accounts, or services when they search every few years—under all current and prior names.

By understanding how unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds are handled in Missouri and taking a few organized steps—contacting companies directly, searching the Missouri unclaimed property office, and preparing the right documents—you can put yourself in a strong position to recover money that legally belongs to you.