TRANSCRIPT:
Hey everyone, Jeremy Riggs, Certified Financial Planner with Base Wealth Management! Today, we’re talking about an important topic: how to claim lost money. Do you think you might have some unclaimed funds out there? Stay tuned.
Many people don’t realize that they may have money waiting for them, whether it’s from old bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten insurance payouts, or a security deposit. Let’s break down how to find and claim that money.
Head over to MissingMoney.com. This is the official unclaimed property website for the National Association of State Treasurers. Enter your name, and don’t forget to try variations, like nicknames. Did you ever have a side hustle or LLC? Make sure you check your business name as well. You might be surprised what you find.
If you find unclaimed money, make sure to check the details. For example, did you live in that state? Does the address look familiar to you? If you see your name and it matches somewhere you have lived, that is fantastic.
Gather necessary documents like your driver’s license, Social Security number, and any papers that prove ownership of the funds. Click on the claim on the left of the list to select the funds owed to you. Then, select “View Claim Properties” on the next screen. You need to select that you are the owner and file a claim. On the following screens, follow those prompts to complete the claim.
Now, every state has different requirements to claim the funds, and some will actually take you to their state treasuries website to file the claim. After you submit your claim, it may take a few weeks to process. Be patient as they need to verify everything for you.
Once the claim is approved, the state will send you your unclaimed funds. You’ll be notified via mail or email, and then a check will arrive in the mail. It can take up to 90 business days, but generally, it is sooner.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully claimed lost money from your state.
Thanks for watching. Hope you found this video helpful.
