5 Common Types of Unclaimed Money (You Might Have One)
Published April 5, 2026
When people think of unclaimed money, they usually picture a forgotten bank account. But unclaimed property comes in many forms. Here are the 5 most common types - and you might have one of them right now.
1. Forgotten Bank Accounts
This is the most common type of unclaimed property. It happens more often than you might think:
You opened a savings account years ago and forgot about it
You moved and never updated your address with the bank
A bank merged with another bank and your account got lost in the shuffle
You had a CD that matured and you never withdrew the funds
Banks are required to turn over inactive accounts to the state after 3-5 years of no activity (depending on the state). Even a small balance of $50 or $100 adds up across millions of forgotten accounts.
2. Uncashed Checks
These are surprisingly common:
Payroll checks: Your last paycheck from a job you left, especially if you moved
Dividend checks: Quarterly dividends from stocks or mutual funds
Refund checks: Overpayment refunds from companies, insurance, or taxes
Rebate checks: That rebate you applied for and forgot about
If a check is not cashed within 1-3 years, the issuing company must report it as unclaimed property.
3. Insurance Policy Payouts
Life insurance is one of the largest categories of unclaimed property:
A relative had a life insurance policy and the beneficiary was never notified
An insurance company could not locate the beneficiary after the policyholder died
Group life insurance through an employer that the family did not know about
Insurance premium refunds or policy maturity payouts
Life insurance claims can be worth thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners estimates there are billions in unclaimed life insurance benefits.
4. Utility and Rental Deposits
Every time you move, there is a chance you are leaving money behind:
Electric, gas, and water company security deposits
Phone and cable company deposits
Apartment security deposits that were never returned
Final account credits or overpayments
These amounts are usually smaller ($50-$500), but if you have moved several times, they add up quickly.
5. Stocks, Bonds, and Investment Accounts
Investment-related unclaimed property can be the most valuable:
Stock certificates from companies that merged or changed names
Mutual fund accounts that became dormant
Retirement accounts from previous employers (401k, pension)
Uncashed dividend or interest payments
Safe deposit box contents (which can include stocks and bonds)
These claims can be worth thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, especially if the stocks have appreciated in value since they were escheated.
Bonus: Less Common Types
Other types of unclaimed property include:
Court settlements and legal deposits
Mineral and oil royalties
Gift cards and store credits (in some states)
Wages and commissions
Cashier's checks and money orders
How to Check If You Have Any of These
The only way to know is to search. Use our free search tool to check all 50 states at once. You might be surprised at what turns up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bank accounts and uncashed checks are the most common. Insurance payouts tend to be the highest value.
Yes, heirs can claim unclaimed property. You will need to provide documentation proving your relationship (death certificate, birth certificate, etc.).
The average is several hundred dollars, but it ranges from under $10 to over $10,000 depending on the type of property.
Ready to Search?
Find out if you have unclaimed money in any of the 50 states.