Common Types of Unclaimed Assets (and How People Typically Track Them Down)

Unclaimed money is more common than many people realize. Old paychecks, forgotten bank accounts, uncashed insurance payouts, and stocks left behind after a move or a death in the family can all end up in government custody as unclaimed property.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains the most common types of unclaimed assets, where they usually come from, and how people typically start the process of searching for and claiming them through official channels. HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency or an application portal; instead, this article is meant to help you understand what to look for and who to contact.

What Are Unclaimed Assets?

In plain terms, unclaimed assets (often called unclaimed property) are money or property that belongs to you but has been inactive or unclaimed for a certain period of time.

When a business, financial institution, or organization cannot reach you for a while, and there’s no activity on the account, the asset is usually treated as “dormant.” After a legally defined dormancy period, the business may be required to turn it over to a state unclaimed property program or other official custodian.

Common examples include:

• Uncashed checks
• Inactive bank accounts or deposits
• Unpaid insurance benefits
• Stocks and other investments

Each type has its own typical rules, timelines, and claim process.

Quick Comparison: Common Unclaimed Asset Types

Below is a simple overview to help you compare the most common types of unclaimed assets and how they usually work.

*Exact requirements vary by state and institution. Always follow the instructions on the official portal or from the official office handling your claim.

1. Unclaimed Checks and Payments

Unclaimed checks are one of the most frequent types of unclaimed assets. They may seem small, but they add up over time.

Common Types of Unclaimed Checks

People often discover:

• Old paychecks from former employers
• Vendor or rebate checks they never cashed
• Utility refunds or deposit refunds
• Tax refund checks returned as undeliverable
• Insurance claim checks that expired
• Settlement checks from class actions or legal settlements

How Checks Become “Unclaimed”

Checks typically become unclaimed when:

• You move and forget to update your address.
• The check is misplaced, never deposited, or expires.
• The check is issued in a maiden name, nickname, or slightly different spelling.
• Mail from the company or agency is returned as undeliverable.

Most companies and agencies must keep records of outstanding checks and attempt to contact you for a certain period. If they cannot reach you, they may turn the funds over to your state’s unclaimed property program.

Where People Typically Check for Unclaimed Checks

People commonly:

• Search their state unclaimed property database for their name (and prior names).
• Contact past employers’ payroll departments about old paychecks.
• Check with the state or national tax authority for missing tax refunds.
• Look back through old emails, pay stubs, or benefits portals that show “issued but not cashed” payments.

Documents Often Needed

While each state is different, typical documentation to claim unclaimed checks includes:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Proof of address (past and/or present), such as utility bills or lease agreements
• Employer or payer information, such as company name or tax agency
• For name changes, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order

Official instructions on your state’s unclaimed property website will usually spell out exactly what is required.

2. Unclaimed Bank Accounts and Deposits

Bank-related unclaimed assets are also very common. These may be small accounts you forgot about or larger balances attached to a move or a closed branch.

Types of Unclaimed Bank Assets

Examples include:

• Checking and savings accounts with no activity
• Certificates of deposit (CDs) not renewed or claimed after maturity
• Money orders never cashed
• Cashier’s checks not redeemed
• Safe deposit box contents (after a bank and state process)

How Bank Accounts Become Unclaimed

Bank deposits often become unclaimed because:

• The account sees no deposits, withdrawals, or written contact for a set number of years.
• You change banks and forget a small balance.
• Statements go to an old address and are never forwarded.
• An account holder passes away, and heirs do not know the accounts exist.

Banks are usually required to try to contact customers and then, after a legal dormancy period, send the money to the state unclaimed property agency for safekeeping.

Where People Usually Start Looking

Most people:

• Search for their name on their state unclaimed property site.
• Review old bank statements or emails to recall closed or inactive accounts.
• Contact banks they used to do business with, especially around the time of a move or major life change.
• Ask family members or executors if they are heirs to any forgotten accounts.

Documents Commonly Required

To claim unclaimed bank deposits, you may be asked to provide:

• Photo ID
• Proof of your former address associated with the account
• Any old account statements, passbooks, or bank correspondence
• For heirs: death certificate, proof of relationship, and sometimes estate or probate documents

The exact process and required paperwork will be listed on the official state portal or provided by the state unclaimed property office.

3. Unclaimed Insurance Benefits and Refunds

Insurance money can go unclaimed for years, especially when it relates to a deceased policyholder or a policy that was paid up long ago.

Common Types of Unclaimed Insurance Assets

People typically find:

• Life insurance death benefits owed to beneficiaries
• Refunded premiums from canceled policies
• Health or auto insurance claim payments that were never cashed
• Annuity payments not routed to the correct person or address

How Insurance Assets Become Unclaimed

Insurance proceeds often become unclaimed when:

• A policyholder dies, and the insurance company cannot locate the listed beneficiary.
• The beneficiary’s contact information is outdated.
• A refund or payout check is never deposited.
• A name change or marital status change makes it harder to match records.
• Probate or estate issues delay communication with the insurer.

Insurers are generally required to follow state rules for contacting beneficiaries and, after a certain period, may transfer unclaimed funds to the state.

Where to Start Searching

People looking for unclaimed insurance-related money often:

• Use their state’s unclaimed property search for their name and any past names.
• Contact insurance companies they know a family member used (life, auto, home, etc.).
• Review old policy documents, premium statements, or employer benefit records.
• For life insurance, check with the employer’s HR/benefits department if the policy was through work.

Documents Often Needed for Insurance Claims

The exact requirements vary, but common documents include:

• Photo ID for the person making the claim
• Policy number or other identifying policy information (if available)
• For death benefits:
  • Death certificate of the insured person
  • Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
  • Estate documents, if the estate is the beneficiary
• For refunds to the policyholder:
  • Proof that you are the policyholder (ID and possibly old policy statements)
  • Proof of address that matches the insurer’s records

The insurance company or the state unclaimed property office generally provides instructions on what to submit and where.

4. Unclaimed Stocks, Dividends, and Investments

Unclaimed stocks and investment accounts can sometimes be more complex, because their value may change over time.

Types of Unclaimed Investment Assets

Common examples include:

• Individual company shares (stock certificates or book-entry shares)
• Dividend payments that were never cashed or deposited
• Dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) accounts
• Brokerage accounts with no recent activity
• Mutual fund shares
• Bonds (including older paper bonds)

How Investment Assets Become Unclaimed

Investments typically become unclaimed when:

• The shareholder moves or changes contact information and the company can’t reach them.
• Dividend checks are returned as undeliverable or never cashed.
• Brokerage accounts sit with no contact or activity for several years.
• An investor passes away, and their heirs are unaware of the accounts.
• Physical stock certificates or bond certificates are misplaced.

Over time, the transfer agent or financial institution may be required to send assets to the state unclaimed property program if they remain inactive.

Where People Commonly Look for Unclaimed Investments

Typical steps include:

• Searching for their name on the state unclaimed property portal (including old addresses).
• Reviewing old brokerage statements, tax forms (such as 1099s), or emails from investment firms.
• Contacting brokerage firms they used in the past.
• For inherited assets, reviewing estate paperwork and asking the executor or attorney about investment accounts.

Documents Often Needed to Claim Investments

Claiming stocks or other investments can require:

• Photo ID
• Proof of address or addresses linked to the account
• Any account statements, trade confirmations, or tax documents listing the investment
• If physical certificates are involved, any remaining original certificates
• For heirs:
  • Death certificate of the original owner
  • Proof of relationship
  • Letters testamentary, small estate affidavits, or other probate documents, when required

The state unclaimed property office usually coordinates reuniting owners or heirs with these investments, sometimes by working with transfer agents or other financial intermediaries.

5. Other Common Types of Unclaimed Assets

While checks, deposits, insurance, and stocks are the most common, people also discover:

• Utility deposits (electric, gas, water, internet)
• Rental security deposits
• Store credits or gift certificates (in some states)
• Royalties or licensing payments
• Refunds from schools, landlords, or service providers

These usually follow similar patterns: a business or institution cannot reach you, and after a certain time, it turns the funds over to the state custodian.

How People Typically Search for Unclaimed Property

Each state, and sometimes each country, has its own system. However, many people follow a similar general process:

1. Identify the correct official office.

   • Search for your state’s official unclaimed property program (often run by the state treasurer or comptroller).
   • Make sure the site clearly identifies itself as an official state government website.

2. Search by name and past addresses.

   • Use your current legal name and any former names (maiden names, nicknames used on accounts).
   • Check for addresses in states where you have lived, worked, or gone to school.

3. Review search results carefully.

   • Look for matches to your name, last-known address, or prior employers/insurers.
   • Many state sites list the type of property (such as “wages,” “bank account,” or “insurance”).

4. Follow the instructions for each claim.

   • Complete the official claim form provided by the state or agency.
   • Attach or upload the required documents (ID, proof of address, etc.) as instructed.

5. Submit through the official channel.

   • This might be an online submission, mail-in form, or occasionally in-person at a state office.

HowToGetAssistance.org does not process claims. You must go through the official state or agency process to claim any unclaimed assets.

Common Documents People Gather Before Claiming

Being organized can help avoid delays. People often collect:

• Government-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
• Social Security Number or tax ID, if required by the official office
• Proof of current address (utility bill, lease, tax bill)
• Proof of former addresses, if the unclaimed asset is tied to an old address
• Name change documents (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order)
• Account statements or policy numbers, if available
• Estate documents for deceased owners (death certificates, letters testamentary, wills, or other probate paperwork)

Exact requirements will appear on the state’s claim form or be explained by the official unclaimed property office.

What Happens After You File a Claim

Once you send in a claim through an official portal or office, the process commonly includes:

• Verification of identity and ownership

  • Staff check that your documents match the unclaimed account or payment.

• Additional requests for information (if needed)

  • You might be asked to send more evidence (for example, another proof of address or clearer ID copy).

• Approval or denial

  • If approved, the state or agency usually sends you a check or direct deposit.
  • If denied, they may provide a reason and sometimes appeal or review instructions.

Processing times vary by state, claim type, and volume of requests. This can range from a few weeks to several months.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

People sometimes experience delays or rejections for reasons like:

• Incomplete claim forms
• Missing documentation or unclear copies of IDs
• Name mismatches (for example, married vs. maiden names) not explained with documents
• Insufficient proof of address or connection to the account
• Heirship not clearly documented for inherited assets
• Submitting through a non-official website instead of the state’s official portal

If something is unclear, you can usually contact the state unclaimed property office or the program’s official hotline for guidance.

How Appeals or Reviews Usually Work

If a claim is denied, each state has its own process, but common options include:

• Submitting additional documents that better prove your identity or rights to the funds
• Requesting a re-review or reconsideration
• In complex or high-value cases, following a more formal appeal process that may involve written explanations or legal documentation

Information about appeals is generally posted on the official state unclaimed property website or available by contacting the state office directly.

If You Don’t Qualify or Can’t Prove Ownership

Sometimes, a person believes they are entitled to an asset but cannot supply enough documentation. Typical alternatives or next steps may include:

• Continuing to search for old records (bank statements, pay stubs, policy papers) in personal files.
• Asking former employers, banks, or insurers if they can provide historical records.
• If the asset relates to a deceased relative, contacting the probate court or estate attorney who handled their estate.
• Consulting a qualified legal professional if the amount is large and the situation is complex.

Unclaimed property usually remains available to claim for many years, and in many places it does not expire, so you may have time to gather more evidence.

Scam-Avoidance Tips When Searching for Unclaimed Assets

Because unclaimed money is a sensitive topic, it attracts scams. To protect yourself:

• ✅ Verify you’re on an official site.

  • Look for clear identification as a state government site or recognized agency.
  • Many official sites have a “.gov” domain, although exact formats can vary.

• ✅ Be cautious about paying fees.

  • Many people can search and claim unclaimed property at no cost through official state programs.
  • Some private services offer to help for a fee; if you use one, understand you are paying for a service you may be able to handle on your own.

• ✅ Guard your personal information.

  • Do not share your full Social Security Number, banking details, or documents unless you have confirmed the legitimacy of the office.
  • When in doubt, call the state treasurer’s office or similar official department directly using a phone number you find independently (not from an email link).

• ✅ Watch for pressure tactics.

  • Be wary of callers or messages saying you must act immediately or lose your money, especially if they demand upfront payment or bank details.

If something feels suspicious, you can usually confirm whether you’re on the correct official channel by calling your state’s main government information number or checking with a trusted local resource such as 211 (where available).

Understanding the most common types of unclaimed assets—checks, deposits, insurance proceeds, and stocks—can help you know what to look for, which documents to gather, and which official offices to contact. From there, you can follow your state’s or agency’s official instructions to see whether any unclaimed property is being held in your name.