$39 Million in Unclaimed Property Returned to Floridians Last Month: Find Out if You’re Owed Money

In August alone, it was a huge financial win for Floridians, as more than $39 million in unclaimed property was returned to rightful owners throughout the state.

This recovery includes forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, and other assets that had been abandoned over the years.

Could you be one of the many Floridians still owed money?

Read: The State By State Guide to Unclaimed Assets

Here’s how you can find and claim your unclaimed property.
 

What is Unclaimed Property?

Unclaimed property refers to financial assets left inactive or forgotten for an extended period. These assets may include:

• Bank accounts that haven’t been touched
• Uncashed payroll or refund checks
• Contents from a safe deposit box
• Insurance payouts or annuities
• Dividends from stocks or bonds
• Utility deposits or refunds

When businesses, financial institutions, or government entities cannot locate the rightful owner, the funds are turned over to the state.

In Florida, the Department of Financial Services is responsible for reuniting residents with their unclaimed assets.
 

How to Search for Your Unclaimed Property in Florida

Finding out if you have unclaimed property is simple and free.

Floridians can easily search for unclaimed assets by visiting the official state website:

• Florida Unclaimed Property
  This official government website allows you to search for unclaimed property by simply entering your name and city. You can also check the status of any claim you’ve submitted.

Additionally, you can broaden your search across other states and federal databases:

• National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA)
  A national database that lets you search for unclaimed property across the United States.

• MissingMoney.com
  Another NAUPA-endorsed site where you can conduct a multi-state search.

How to Claim Your Money

Once you’ve located unclaimed property in your name, the claim process is straightforward. In Florida, you’ll typically need:

1. Proof of identity such as a driver’s license, Social Security number, or passport.
2. Documents proving ownership, which could include old account numbers, statements, or other relevant paperwork.

You can submit your claim online through the Florida Unclaimed Property website or by mail.

The process can take a few weeks to finalize, but there is no fee for claiming your money.

Don’t forget to check other possible sources of unclaimed property.

Here are some additional resources that may help you find even more money owed to you:

• U.S. Department of Labor Unpaid Wages
  Check for unpaid wages from previous employers.

• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Unclaimed Funds
  Find unclaimed funds from closed banks.

• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)
  Search for any unclaimed pensions from private sector jobs.

Why You Should Act Now

With millions of dollars still unclaimed, it’s crucial to act quickly.

While the Florida Department of Financial Services works hard to return these assets, unclaimed property could eventually be absorbed into the state's general funds if left unclaimed for too long.

If you haven’t already, take a moment to search for any unclaimed property in your name.

Whether it’s a few hundred dollars from an old bank account or a larger payout from forgotten investments, you could be sitting on unexpected cash waiting to be claimed.

Floridians have already recovered millions in August alone, and there may be even more waiting for you!

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