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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