The Freebie Guy is always sharing tips and tricks to save money, but did you know that, as of early 2026, an estimated $70 billion in unclaimed money is sitting with state governments across the United States?
According to the National Association of State Treasurers, states return billions of dollars in lost or forgotten money to rightful owners every year. In fact, about 1 in 7 Americans has unclaimed funds waiting to be claimed!
Unclaimed money can come from:
- Old bank accounts
- Uncashed paychecks
- Tax refunds
- Utility deposits
- Insurance payouts
- Refund checks and more
If a business, financial institution, or government agency owes you money you never received, it may be considered unclaimed property. Follow the steps below to find your unclaimed money.
Most claims are processed within weeks, while larger claims may take longer.
The search is completely free, there’s really no downside to just checking!
How to search for unclaimed money:
- Visit unclaimed.org
- Scroll all the way down and select your state
- Follow the instructions and fill in your information
- Search for matches and submit a claim if you find money belonging to you
- Send identification or supporting documents if requested (States and provinces can vary)
- Wait for the state to verify and process your claim (Most states will send an acknowledgement letter once your claim is received).
Tip from The Freebie Guy:
Check multiple states if you’ve ever moved! Many people find unclaimed money in more than one place!
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