New York officials are urging Orange County residents to check whether they have unclaimed money waiting for them.
The New York State Comptroller’s Office says $106,801,944.89 is currently linked to Orange County across 629,862 accounts. The funds may belong to individuals, businesses, nonprofits or the heirs of deceased residents.
Residents can search for free through the state’s official unclaimed funds database.
Orange County residents received $2.7 million
During the 2025–26 fiscal year, the Comptroller’s Office returned approximately $2.76 million to Orange County claimants. State officials say the amounts vary widely, from small payments to claims worth thousands or more.
Some accounts may contain only $50 or $100, while others are worth significantly more.
Worth reading: The State By State Guide to Unclaimed Assets
Where does the money come from?
Unclaimed funds may come from:
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Old bank accounts.
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Uncashed checks.
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Utility deposits.
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Insurance payments.
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Stock certificates and dividends.
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Court payments.
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Unused gift cards.
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Other forgotten financial accounts.
Banks, insurance companies and other organizations must transfer certain dormant property to the state after the applicable dormancy period. The required waiting period depends on the type of property.
The money does not expire
New York residents can claim eligible funds at any time. The money remains available even if the owner does not file a claim immediately.
Heirs may also claim funds belonging to a deceased relative. They may need to provide proof of ownership, a death certificate and documents showing their legal right to the money.
How to search for your money
Searching is free through the state Comptroller’s Office.
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Visit the New York unclaimed funds search page.
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Enter your last name and first name.
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Search former names, business names and previous addresses.
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Review the results carefully.
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Select Claim for any property that belongs to you.
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Upload the documents requested by the state.
The Comptroller’s Office also provides information on how to search and file a claim.
Expedited payments may arrive by mail
New York’s Expedited Payment Program allows the state to send certain eligible payments to verified owners without requiring a traditional claim. The program was expanded to cover eligible payments of up to $5,000.
If you receive a notice from the Comptroller’s Office, do not ignore it. Verify the information through the official state website before responding.
Beware of fees and scams
The official search and claim service is free. The Comptroller’s Office warns that rightful owners do not need to pay a private company to search the database or file a basic claim. 1480
Avoid anyone who:
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Demands an upfront fee.
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Requests payment by gift card or cryptocurrency.
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Pressures you to share banking information.
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Sends you to an unofficial website.
Need help with a claim?
Contact the New York State Office of Unclaimed Funds:
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Phone: 1-800-221-9311 or 518-270-2200
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Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Address: Office of Unclaimed Funds, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12236 1479
You can also check the status of an existing claim using the official claim-status tool.
Bottom line
More than $106.8 million in unclaimed funds is connected to Orange County across nearly 630,000 accounts. The money could come from an old account, unpaid check, insurance payment, stock or gift card.
Search the official New York database for free. You may find money owed to you, your business or a family member.
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Start your free search today and claim what's rightfully yours!
