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

Many people in New York move, switch utility providers, or pay off mortgages and never realize they might be owed unclaimed utility deposits or escrow funds. Over time, those funds can be turned over to the state as unclaimed property.

This guide explains, in clear language, what these funds are, how they usually end up unclaimed, and how to search and file a claim through official New York channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency, does not hold any funds, and cannot process claims. This article is meant to help you understand the typical process so you can work directly with official New York offices and companies.

What Are Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds?

Unclaimed utility deposits

In New York, utility companies sometimes require a security deposit when you open an account, especially if you:

• Have limited or no credit history
• Have a history of late payments
• Are starting service at a new address

This can include:

• Electric and gas companies
• Water utilities
• Telephone and internet providers
• Sometimes cable or other service providers

If your account is closed, moved, or credited and the company cannot reach you to refund your deposit, the money may eventually be turned over to the New York State Comptroller’s unclaimed funds division as unclaimed property.

Unclaimed escrow funds

Escrow funds are often associated with:

• Mortgage payments (for property taxes and homeowners insurance)
• Real estate transactions (earnest money deposits, closing adjustments)

Common ways escrow becomes unclaimed:

• You pay off or refinance your mortgage and a leftover escrow balance is never delivered or cashed
• A closing attorney or title company holds funds that were never properly disbursed
• A refund check was mailed but never reached you or was never deposited

When the holder cannot find you for a certain period, they may send those funds to the State of New York as unclaimed property.

Who Typically Has Unclaimed Funds in New York?

You might have unclaimed utility deposits or escrow funds in New York if you:

• Lived or owned property in New York in the past
• Paid utility deposits when starting service
• Frequently moved, changed apartments, or changed service providers
• Refinanced or paid off a mortgage
• Bought or sold property and had money held in escrow
• Changed your name (marriage, divorce, or legal name change)
• Did not always update your mailing address with companies

It is often worth checking even if you are not sure. Many people discover unclaimed funds they had forgotten about or never knew existed.

Where Unclaimed Funds Are Usually Held in New York

There are two main places to check:

1. The original company or institution

   • Utility provider (electric, gas, water, phone, cable, internet)
   • Mortgage servicer or bank
   • Title company, closing attorney, or property management company

2. New York State unclaimed funds office

   • When funds remain unclaimed for a certain period, companies are often required to send them to the New York State Comptroller (Unclaimed Funds division).

You generally do not claim this money from a private website or help service. You claim it directly from the official state office or the original company.

Step 1: Gather Basic Information Before You Search

Having some details ready can make your search faster and more accurate. Helpful information includes:

• Full legal name (and any previous names)
• Current address
• Previous New York addresses (street, city, ZIP)
• Approximate dates you lived or had service in New York
• Former utility providers (Con Edison, National Grid, PSEG, city water department, telecom providers, etc.)
• Mortgage lender or servicer names
• Title or escrow company name, if known

You do not need everything on this list to start searching, but the more you know, the easier it may be to identify your money.

Step 2: Search New York’s Official Unclaimed Funds System

New York maintains an official statewide unclaimed funds database, where you can search for:

• Utility deposit refunds
• Escrow and mortgage balances
• Bank accounts, insurance proceeds, and other unclaimed property

Typical steps:

1. Go to the official New York State Comptroller / Unclaimed Funds website (you can find it by searching for “New York unclaimed funds comptroller”).
2. Use the name search feature.
3. Enter:
   • Your last name and first name, and
   • Optionally, a city or ZIP code to narrow results.
4. Review the search results for:
   • Your name
   • Any known aliases or prior names
   • Addresses where you used to live or receive mail

If you find a matching record, you can usually start a claim online through the official state portal.

Step 3: Claiming Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds from New York State

When you click on a matching record in the state’s unclaimed funds system, New York usually asks you to:

1. Confirm the account looks like it belongs to you (name and address).
2. Start an online claim or request a paper form.
3. Provide documentation to prove your identity and connection to the funds.

Common documents you may need

You will typically need at least:

• Proof of identity (for example, a driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
• Proof of address if required (for example, a utility bill, lease, tax bill, or bank statement)
• Proof of name change, if applicable (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order)

For escrow or mortgage-related funds, you may be asked for:

• Mortgage statements or payoff letters
• Closing documents (HUD-1 settlement statement, Closing Disclosure)
• Deed or property tax bill with your name

For utility deposits, you might need:

• A bill or account statement from the old utility provider
• Proof that you lived at the address that appears on the claim

If you do not have all of these documents, the state may accept alternative paperwork that reasonably proves your identity and address history. Their instructions usually list acceptable options.

Step 4: Claiming Directly from a Utility or Mortgage/Title Company

Sometimes funds have not yet been turned over to the state. In those cases, you may need to work directly with:

• Utility customer service
• Mortgage company or loan servicer
• Title or escrow company
• Property management company or landlord

How to approach a utility provider in New York

You can usually:

1. Call the utility company’s customer service number (from its official website or your old bill).
2. Ask whether there is any closed account with a remaining security deposit in your name.
3. Provide:
   • Your full name
   • Old service address
   • Approximate dates of service
   • Account number, if you still have it

If they locate a deposit that was never refunded, they may:

• Issue a refund check
• Apply a credit to any remaining balance, if appropriate
• Ask you to sign a form or provide ID before releasing the funds

How to approach a mortgage or title company

For escrow funds:

1. Contact your current or former mortgage servicer using the information on your old statements or their official website.
2. Ask about any escrow refund owed after payoff or refinance.
3. If you purchased or sold a home, contact the title or escrow company that handled the closing and ask if any funds remain in escrow.

They may request:

• Loan or file number
• Property address
• Closing date
• A copy of your ID

If funds have already been transferred to the state, they may refer you to the New York State unclaimed funds office.

Key Contacts and Where to Look: Quick Comparison

Below is a simple comparison to help you decide where to start and what to have ready.

Who Usually Qualifies to Claim Unclaimed Funds?

You may be able to claim funds in New York if you are:

• The original account holder or property owner
• A joint account holder or co-owner
• An heir or legal representative of a deceased owner (with appropriate documents)

For heirs or estates, additional documents are often needed, such as:

• Death certificate of the original owner
• Letters of administration, letters testamentary, or similar court documents
• Will, if applicable, and evidence that you are the rightful beneficiary

The New York unclaimed funds office usually provides specific instructions for estate claims, which can be more detailed than personal claims.

Timelines: How Long Does This Take?

Timeframes can vary, but in general:

• Online search: Instant results
• Online claim submission: Often done in one session if you have your documents ready
• Processing time:
  • May range from a few weeks to several months
  • More complicated cases (like estates or business claims) may take longer

Utility providers and mortgage companies may have their own processing times for refunds. They might tell you:

• When to expect your refund check
• Whether they will send it by mail or another method

If a claim seems to be taking an unusually long time, you can usually contact:

• The New York unclaimed funds office using its official phone line
• The utility or mortgage company’s customer service for status updates

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

People in New York sometimes run into issues when claiming unclaimed funds. Common problems include:

• Name mismatch

  • Using a nickname or middle name that does not match the record
  • Not providing proof of legal name change

• Insufficient proof of address or connection

  • Cannot show you lived at the listed address or had an account there
  • Missing utility statements, leases, or mortgage documents

• Incomplete claim form

  • Leaving sections blank
  • Not signing where required

• Unreadable or unclear documents

  • Blurry ID copies
  • Cut-off pages or missing pages

To reduce delays:

• Double-check that your documents are clear and complete
• Use the exact name listed in the claim record if possible
• Follow all instructions from the official state or company carefully

If a claim is denied, you may be able to:

• Resubmit with additional documentation
• Call the official office to ask what evidence is missing or what would be acceptable
• For some complex situations, consult a qualified legal or financial professional if you need personalized advice (HowToGetAssistance.org does not provide legal representation).

What If You Moved Out of New York?

You do not need to currently live in New York to have unclaimed funds there.

If you:

• Lived, worked, or owned property in New York in the past
• Had utilities or a mortgage in New York

You can still search and claim unclaimed funds from out of state. The typical process is the same, but you might:

• Need to mail documents instead of submitting them in person
• Provide an out-of-state ID and possibly extra documentation to confirm your identity

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

Because unclaimed money can attract scammers, it is important to verify that you are dealing with legitimate offices.

Consider these tips:

• ✔ Look for .gov domains when searching for New York state unclaimed funds or other government sites.
• ✔ Type web addresses yourself instead of clicking on links in unsolicited emails or messages.
• ✔ Be cautious of fees.
  • New York’s official state unclaimed funds office typically does not charge you a percentage to claim your own money.
  • Some private “finder” services may offer to help for a fee. If you choose to use them, understand that you can usually perform the same search and claim process yourself at no cost through official channels.
• ✔ Do not share personal information (Social Security number, bank details, ID numbers) on unfamiliar websites or with callers who contacted you unexpectedly.
• ✔ Verify phone numbers by searching for the agency or company’s official website and using the contact information listed there.

If something feels off:

• Hang up and call the official number for the New York unclaimed funds office or the company you believe holds the money.
• Ask them to confirm whether any claim or offer you received is legitimate.

Alternatives if You Don’t Find Any Unclaimed Funds

If your search in New York’s unclaimed funds system turns up nothing, but you still suspect money is missing, you can:

1. Contact individual utilities directly

   • Ask if there are any old accounts or deposits tied to your name and past addresses.

2. Check with your mortgage or former mortgage servicer

   • Request written confirmation about any escrow refunds or balances from past loans.

3. Contact title or escrow companies involved in your real estate transactions

   • Ask if they ever held funds for you and, if so, how they were disbursed.

4. Check other states

   • If you lived in multiple states, search the unclaimed property databases of each state where you had:
     • Utilities
     • Bank accounts
     • Mortgages or property

You can usually find each state’s official unclaimed property website by searching for the state name plus “unclaimed property” or “unclaimed funds.”

Key Takeaways for New York Residents and Former Residents

• Unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds are common, especially for people who move frequently, change service providers, or pay off mortgages.
• In New York, funds that cannot be returned to you directly are often transferred to the State Comptroller’s unclaimed funds office.
• You can usually:
  • Search for free through New York’s official unclaimed funds website
  • Submit a claim with proof of identity and connection to the account
• For funds not yet sent to the state, you may need to contact the utility company, mortgage servicer, or title/escrow company directly.
• Be careful to use official state and company channels, and be wary of anyone demanding large fees or asking for sensitive information in unexpected ways.

By gathering your documents, searching the official New York unclaimed funds database, and following up with past utility and mortgage providers, you can give yourself the best chance of recovering any utility deposits or escrow balances that belong to you.