Money from old bank accounts, paychecks, refunds and deposits often ends up with the state. Searching and claiming are free. Here's where to look, in the right order.
Best first move
- Search MissingMoney.com with every name you've used (maiden name, nicknames, common misspellings). One search covers every state except Hawaii.
- Search the official site of each state you lived or worked in (list below). Lived in Hawaii? Search Hawaii's own site.
- Check the federal programs below that fit you. States don't hold these.
- Never pay to search. Claim on the official site for free.
Money the states don't hold
Check the ones that fit you. Each is a free government search or form.
- A federal tax refund you never got
Check refund status with the IRS. You generally have 3 years from filing (or 2 years from paying) to claim a refund. (IRS, IRS)
Open IRS refunds - Old paper savings bonds
Treasury's “Treasury Hunt” search closed on Sept. 30, 2025. For lost, stolen or destroyed bonds, file FS Form 1048 with Treasury. (TreasuryDirect, TreasuryDirect)
Open savings bond forms - A pension from a company plan that ended
PBGC holds pension money for people who weren't paid when their plan ended. Search its database. (PBGC)
Search PBGC - A 401(k) or pension from an old job
The Labor Department's Retirement Savings Lost and Found (created by the SECURE 2.0 Act) helps you find old plans. (U.S. Labor Dept. (EBSA))
Open Lost and Found - You paid off an FHA mortgage
You may be owed part of the upfront mortgage insurance back. Search by last name or FHA case number. HUD says you don't need to pay anyone to collect it. (HUD, HUD)
Search HUD refunds - Money at a bank that failed
Search the list of unclaimed deposits the FDIC holds from failed banks. (FDIC)
Search FDIC - Money at a credit union that closed
Claimed within 18 months, accounts are paid at the full insured amount; after that, payment may be partial. (NCUA)
Open NCUA - VA life insurance
VA holds unpaid life insurance money for some policyholders and beneficiaries it couldn't find. (VA)
Search VA - Life insurance of someone who died
The free NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator sends your request to insurers. If you're the beneficiary, the insurer contacts you. (NAIC)
How to use the locator - Refunds from a government case
The FTC, SEC and CFPB list cases that are paying people back. Check if a company you used is on a list. (FTC, SEC, CFPB)
Open FTC refunds
Finder fee check
Got a letter or call offering to get your money for a fee? See what it costs.
What to have ready to claim
- A copy of your photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport or military ID).
- Proof of your Social Security number (card, W-2, tax return or pay stub).
- Proof that links you to the money: a paper with the old address the company reported (old bill, bank statement, pay stub, postmarked envelope), or proof you did business with that company.
- If your name changed: marriage certificate, divorce papers or other court paper.
Claiming for someone who died, a child or a business needs more. Your state's claim page has the exact list. (NAUPA, Tennessee Treasury, Kentucky Treasury)
Key facts
- About 1 in 7 people have unclaimed money or property waiting for them. (NAUPA)
- Searching and claiming are free on your state's official site or MissingMoney.com. No one needs to charge you. (NAUPA)
- MissingMoney.com, run with the state treasurers, searches every state except Hawaii, plus Washington, D.C. (as of Oct. 21, 2026). It reports an average claim of $2,080 and more than $3 billion paid in the last year. (MissingMoney.com, MissingMoney.com (NAST/NAUPA))
- Money goes to the state after a set time with no activity or contact (the “dormancy period”). Common examples: old bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, stocks, refunds, utility deposits, insurance payments, safe deposit box contents. (NAUPA)
- “Finders” who charge a share of what they find are legal in most cases. Many states require them to register, and some states cap the fee. You never need one. (NAUPA)
- To claim, you prove who you are and that the money is yours. Some states pay in less than 30 days; Kentucky says most claims are reviewed within 90 days. (NAUPA, Kentucky Treasury)
Your Pro walkthrough
Pro builds your personal search plan (every name × every state you lived in, plus the federal programs that fit), gives you the claim checklist for your situation, and tracks each claim until it's paid. You do the searching and claiming; it all stays in your browser.
The unclaimed money walkthrough is part of VaultRubric Pro. Cancel anytime before day 8 and you pay nothing.
Unlock with Pro, 7 days free, then $7/mo Member sign in7 days free, then $7/mo or $59/yr. Card required, $0 today. First charge on day 8. Cancel anytime before then: sign in, open your dashboard and click “Manage billing or cancel”.
See what's in it: unclaimed money walkthrough.
Sources
- NAUPA: What is unclaimed property? (checked October 21, 2026)
- NAUPA: Is it really free to search? (checked October 21, 2026)
- NAUPA: Claim your found property (checked October 21, 2026)
- NAUPA: Search beyond your state (checked October 21, 2026)
- MissingMoney.com (NAST/NAUPA): home page figures (checked October 21, 2026)
- MissingMoney.com: state index (which states it searches) (checked October 21, 2026)
- Tennessee Treasury: Prove your ownership (checked October 21, 2026)
- Kentucky Treasury: claim requirements (PDF) (checked October 21, 2026)
- IRS: Refunds (Where's My Refund?) (checked October 21, 2026)
- IRS: Time you can claim a credit or refund (checked October 21, 2026)
- TreasuryDirect: Treasury Hunt (closed Sept. 30, 2025) (checked October 21, 2026)
- TreasuryDirect: savings bond forms (FS Form 1048) (checked October 21, 2026)
- PBGC: Find unclaimed retirement benefits (checked October 21, 2026)
- U.S. Labor Dept. (EBSA): Retirement Savings Lost and Found (checked October 21, 2026)
- HUD: Does HUD owe you a refund? (checked October 21, 2026)
- HUD: FHA homeowners fact sheet on refunds (checked October 21, 2026)
- FDIC: Unclaimed funds from failed banks (checked October 21, 2026)
- NCUA: Unclaimed deposits from closed credit unions (checked October 21, 2026)
- VA: Search unclaimed life insurance funds (checked October 21, 2026)
- NAIC: How to use the Life Insurance Policy Locator (checked October 21, 2026)
- FTC: Recent cases resulting in refunds (checked October 21, 2026)
- SEC: Distributions to harmed investors (checked October 21, 2026)
- CFPB: Payments to harmed consumers (checked October 21, 2026)
Next step: search
MissingMoney.com with your name today, then pick your state above. Settling a loved one's affairs? Start with
estate planning and the claim list for someone who died.
We never search, file a claim or send anything for you, and we don't work with finders. Programs and links can change; the official site is the final word. General information, not legal advice. No company pays to be on this page.
Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.