Have You Checked Unclaimed Property Yet?

As you are trying to save money, spend less, reduce fixed expenses, and live your best life, it is always a good thing when you can get money for little effort. One simple way to do this is to check for unclaimed property in the state you live in, and any state your information has ever been associated with.

What is unclaimed property?

Money held by banks and businesses that for one reason or another, cannot locate the account holder for a period of time.

The amount of time that must pass varies by state and type of funds. After the specified period of time has passed, the institution turns the money over to the state as “unclaimed property.”

You may be thinking you don’t need to do this. Give it a shot anyway. It is FREE to check to see if your name is on the list. Heading to unclaimed.org will allow you to quickly check multiple states, or you can google “unclaimed property + YOUR STATE” to find the most direct link for your state.

When I checked, I found $87 Progressive had turned over to the state in my name. I have no idea what it was for, did not remember every receiving any information about being owed any money, and at the time I was a current Progressive customer with the same account number listed in the property info. I remember thinking they clearly didn’t try too hard to find me.

A few weeks after mailing off the info required to claim the funds, I had my check from the state. Total time invested: maybe 30 minutes, including searching everywhere I’d lived, completing the documentation, and mailing the envelope.

Your results may vary. But go ahead and check for you and your household.

It can’t hurt, and you just may find you have some money coming your way.