How to Safely Search for Unclaimed Property and Avoid Scams

Unsolicited emails or text messages claiming you have unclaimed money are frequently part of a phishing scheme designed to steal your personal information or money. These fraudulent messages often create a false sense of urgency, pressuring recipients to act quickly or pay an upfront fee to access funds that do not exist. It is important to remember that legitimate government agencies will never demand payment or sensitive data through these channels.

Unclaimed property—which can include forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, or inactive investment accounts—is a real financial phenomenon. However, you do not need to pay a third party to locate it. You can conduct a search for free by visiting your state’s official unclaimed property website. Alternatively, the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) provides a secure, government-recommended search tool at unclaimed.org/search.

What to watch: If you are contacted out of the blue about unclaimed funds, ignore the message. Never provide personal information or payment to unknown entities. If you believe you are owed money, initiate the search yourself through official state portals or NAUPA-backed websites. Suspected fraud can be reported directly to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.