State Controller's Office Says Your Money is Waiting: So Why Don't You Just Get it?

I'm always amazed that so many people bitch about not earning enough money to make ends meet or wonder where the money went or exclaim how far their stock portfolio has plummeted. However, many of these same folks disregard money that is just sitting and waiting for them to collect.

I'm referring to funds that, for whatever reason, a company you worked for or an insurance company that owes you dividends -- among many such possibilities -- cannot find you. Sometimes these excuses are absurd as in the case of a well-known TV writer I know who Universal Studios lost track of, whereas they easily could have attempted to find her by calling the Writers Guild of America.

In these instances the money is turned over to the government and in most states held for eternity -- it cannot be spent -- waiting and waiting for the money to be claimed by the rightful owner or legal beneficiary.

What is more outlandish is that the list includes many people I know (sadly my name is not on the list, as I'm pretty good at knowing who owes me what.) As a sort of game, from time to time I have input their names and as a courtesy have contacted many, many of these friends and acquaintances to let them know they have amounts up to four figures, though most are not so high.

However, quite a number are well into three figures and yet when I check back a year or two later, the monies are still unclaimed. Even though it's a simple task to do so. Just fill out a short form and send in a copy of your social security number, and in a number of months you'll get your money.

That last part I find amazing, because if the social security number is part of the proof, why doesn't the government just do a search through tax records of the last known address of said person, who most likely has filed in recent years unless they are dead. For the record, I have only made contact with the living.

One person, a close friend -- the one Universal Studios couldn't find -- kept saying "I'll do it," and then when I reminded her shot back, "I don't have the time," even as she continued to exclaim "I don't have any money." As a favor I even offered to fill out the form, having previously printed it out and given it to her, but because she put her Social Security Card in her safe deposit box, she couldn't be bothered to collect it to xerox it, even if it meant getting close to $150.

For those who are interested, here is the California web site and the one for New York State.

For those in other states or who have had business interests in other states just Google the Controller's office to find out the link. And if it isn't the Controller's Office in a particular state, just search "Unclaimed money in (name your state)."

There's money out there, and in these horrible economic times, it's absurd to just let it collect dust. Frankly, I wish I had some lying there.

Michael Russnow's web site is www.ramproductionsinternational.com

Comments

[kstuff]

Michael,

I don't see the websites that you're recommending in the article. Can you please post these again? I'm VERY interested in finding free money.

[Michael Russnow - Huffpost Blogger]

Kstuff,

The websites are linked to the "blued" out parts of the article, "here is the California website" and "the one for New York State." Just click on those words and you'll be taken to those sites.

If you need to look for money in another state, do a Google search for "Controller (your state) unclaimed funds" and you'll get that link as well.

Hope this helps.

[mamacat]

I am familiar with the phenomena of unclaimed funds held by a State. Some States, as the author says, hold the unclaimed funds forever. Some others, like Arizona, hold them for a short time, then claim them as their own and put them into their general tax fund. If one thinks one may have some unclaimed funds waiting to be recovered, better to act sooner rather than later.

[mlaiuppa]

Ha.

I've lived in the same place for over 20 years. If anyone wanted to find me they could.

My parents have lived where they live for 48 years. And they're the only ones in the phone book.

There is no money waiting for me or them. No insurance, no inheritance, no former employer.

[Michael Russnow - Huffpost Blogger]

Have you looked?

Have you checked out the web sites I recommended?

Maybe there's some money and maybe not, but living in the same place and being in the phone book are not surefire criteria.

It could be money from a variety of sources, things that you long forgot about. What does it hurt to check and be absolutely sure?