You have probably heard stories about some people who discovered that they were missing thousands of dollars that were rightfully theirs. Somehow, somewhere, something went wrong, and they never received payment. Could you also be one of these "victims?" Keep reading for expert tips on how to find if you have any unclaimed funds just waiting for you.

 

Defining "Unclaimed Money"

Some folks are confused about what it means when money is not claimed. In simplest terms, unclaimed money is defined as when a business, financial institution or government owes you money that you did not collect.

You may be wondering how in the world any individual could access a single database or agency to find these funds. However, the key here is looking into a number of authentic databases to check for money owed to you. You can easily do this online.

 

Beginning in Your State First

Your state's unclaimed property office is the best place to start. Click here to find your link and the official program that can assist you.

When a state is withholding your unclaimed money, it is usually from bank accounts, insurance policies or the state government.

 

Looking to Your Employer

Maybe you're missing wages from your employer or past employers. It's also possible that you didn't receive your pension from a former employer(s). You can click on these two legitimate websites for further information:

Department of Labor
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).

 

Finding Unclaimed Insurance Money

Here's another area to look into if you possibly have unclaimed insurance funds. You can check online if you are a veteran here at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Also, you can see if you are eligible for a refund if you had an FHA-insured mortgage. You can search the HUD.Gov Database.

 

Asking Uncle Sam for Help

Many people often wait and wait for their tax refund wondering what's going on with the IRS or Uncle Sam. It can happen; tax refunds can be sent to the wrong address, or a technical glitch can upset the system. You have nothing to lose by checking for that money owed to you.

Simply go online, and use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" search tool to find out where your refund check is at the moment. Click here. When you get to the site, have ready to type in your Social Security number, your filing status (single, married, etc.) and the exact refund amount on your return.

 

Finding Matured Savings Bonds

Maybe you had savings bonds that your parents or relatives made in your name. Or perhaps, you moved away and never received mailed updates about those bonds. Or maybe a relative died and had these types of bonds in their name. Treasury bonds will mature at some point and stop earning interest. You can click on TreasuryHunt.Gov to find missing matured savings bonds.

All you do here is type in your Social Security Number/ Employee Identification Number or First, Middle and Last Name and state. The answer will be revealed to you immediately. If the search finds securities that match your information, you'll get instructions on what to do next.

 

Hunting Down Money Owed From Investments

Do you play the stock market? Or has someone made investments for you over the years, and these payments have gone missing? The SEC or the Securities and Exchange Commission is a U.S. government oversight agency. It plays an important role in regulating the securities markets and protecting investors.

You can check here for money from an investment enforcement case. Maybe your broker-dealer has gone out of business. Or perhaps, there have been violations of the securities laws committed. This government database can assist you.

 

Checking on Bank/Credit Union Failures

Here's one more agency to look into when it concerns unclaimed funds that have come from a bank failure or a credit union failure. To find out if money is owed to you, try these databases:

FDIC
National Credit Union Association



You have every right to search for money that may be owed to you and has remained unclaimed. The government agencies and databases provided above are legitimate or the real deal. You can be assured of their authenticity. Still, if you would prefer to speak with a live USA Government Agent, call toll-free 1-844-USA-GOV1 (1-844-872-4681).