Methods to Determine if You're Entitled to Money in New York
In a surprising turn of events, the author of this article discovered two new claims for unclaimed funds, totaling an unknown amount, linked to old addresses in Queens and Albany, New York. These findings were made during a recent search while reporting this story.
The editor of this article also stumbled upon a stash of money waiting for several acquaintances after a brief search. The verification process for these simple claims took just a couple of minutes, involving entering one's Social Security number.
The New York State Comptroller manages approximately $20 billion in unclaimed funds, which originate from sources like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, and unreturned security deposits. To verify a claim, the author attested that he was the correct recipient based on the addresses and entered his Social Security number. The site informed him that the claims have already been processed, and checks should be on the way, though the amounts are not yet known.
To find out if a part of the $20 billion is yours, simply search your name on the website:
If your name and an associated address appear in the search results, you have money waiting for you. However, more complex verifications, such as those involving estates, can be considerably more work.
To check if you have unclaimed funds in New York State and other states, follow these steps:
## Checking Unclaimed Funds in New York State
1. **Visit the New York State Comptroller's Website**: Go to the [Office of Unclaimed Funds](https://www.osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds) website to search for unclaimed funds. You can search by name, business name, or property ID.
2. **Use the Online Claiming System**: If you find unclaimed funds in your name, you can use the online system to verify your identity and have a check mailed to you.
3. **Phone Assistance**: Call 1-800-221-9311 for assistance if needed.
4. **Community Events**: The Office of Unclaimed Funds also participates in community events across the state, providing in-person assistance with searching and claiming funds[1][2].
## Checking Unclaimed Funds in Other States
1. **Visit the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) Website**: The NAUPA website offers a free search tool, [MissingMoney](https://missingmoney.com/), where you can search for unclaimed property across multiple states.
2. **State-by-State Search**: You can also search for unclaimed funds state by state by visiting the respective state's unclaimed property website. Most states have a dedicated page for searching and claiming unclaimed funds.
3. **Unclaimed Property Offices**: Contact the unclaimed property office in each state where you or your family members have lived or worked to inquire about any unclaimed funds.
Remember, unclaimed funds can come from various sources, such as uncashed checks, old bank accounts, and unused gift cards[1][2]. So, take a moment to check and see if you're one of the many people who have forgotten funds waiting to be claimed.
[1] New York State Comptroller's Office. (n.d.). Unclaimed Funds. Retrieved from
[2] National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. (n.d.). MissingMoney. Retrieved from
In New York State, if your name and an associated address appear in the search results on the Office of Unclaimed Funds website, you may have money waiting for you. To verify and claim your funds, use the online system and provide your Social Security number, similar to the author's experience.
For those interested in checking unclaimed funds in other states, they can use the free search tool, MissingMoney, provided by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.
Just as the editor stumbled upon money waiting for acquaintances in New York, personal finance and business news enthusiasts are encouraged to search for unclaimed funds across the nation, as it's possible that a part of the $20 billion in unclaimed funds in New York State could be yours.
