Could you have hidden cash waiting for you? How one woman found $180,000 on a little-known site—here’s what you need to know!
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Imagine logging onto your computer, searching for your name on a state website, and discovering a life-changing sum of money just waiting for you to claim. Sounds like a dream, right?
For one lucky woman, this dream became a reality when she stumbled upon a staggering $180,000 in unclaimed funds—all thanks to a little-known “unclaimed property” website.
And here’s the best part: you could have hidden cash waiting for you, too!
Unclaimed property isn’t some mysterious treasure chest buried in your backyard. It’s money or valuables that have been forgotten or left behind in places like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, safe deposit boxes, utility deposits, and even old stock certificates.
When these assets sit untouched for a certain period (often a year or more), the financial institution or company holding them is required by law to turn them over to the state’s unclaimed property division.
Every state in the US has its own unclaimed property program, and billions—yes, billions—of dollars are currently waiting to be claimed by rightful owners.
The Michigan Department of Treasury, for example, is just one of many state agencies holding onto these forgotten fortunes.
You might be wondering, “How does someone just forget about $180,000?” It happens more often than you’d think!
Maybe you moved and forgot to update your address, or a relative passed away and left behind an account you didn’t know existed.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as a check that never got cashed or a bank account that was quietly closed by the bank after years of inactivity.
Life gets busy, paperwork gets lost, and before you know it, your money is sitting in a government vault, waiting for you to come claim it.
Also read: Are you eligible for a surprise $1,000 “gaming” payout? Discover the 3 must-know requirements!
Also read: Could these numbers change your life? Experts share their picks in the $1.1B Powerball drawing!
The process should never require you to pay a fee. If a website asks for payment, close it immediately. The official state-run sites are always free to use.
If you’re ever in doubt, you can find your state’s official site through the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) at unclaimed.org.
The woman who found $180,000 isn’t the only one to strike gold. Across the country, people are discovering everything from lost paychecks to family heirlooms. In another recent case, a couple won $1 million from a scratch-off lottery ticket they bought on a whim.
While not technically “unclaimed property,” it’s a reminder that luck can strike when you least expect it!
Read next: Are you missing out? 15 legitimate ways to claim free money from the government
Have you ever found unclaimed money or property? Did you have a surprise windfall, or maybe a funny story about a forgotten bank account?
For one lucky woman, this dream became a reality when she stumbled upon a staggering $180,000 in unclaimed funds—all thanks to a little-known “unclaimed property” website.
And here’s the best part: you could have hidden cash waiting for you, too!
Unclaimed property isn’t some mysterious treasure chest buried in your backyard. It’s money or valuables that have been forgotten or left behind in places like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, safe deposit boxes, utility deposits, and even old stock certificates.
When these assets sit untouched for a certain period (often a year or more), the financial institution or company holding them is required by law to turn them over to the state’s unclaimed property division.
Every state in the US has its own unclaimed property program, and billions—yes, billions—of dollars are currently waiting to be claimed by rightful owners.
The Michigan Department of Treasury, for example, is just one of many state agencies holding onto these forgotten fortunes.
The woman’s unexpected windfall came from an official state website that tracks forgotten money and property. Image source: Getty Images / Unsplash
You might be wondering, “How does someone just forget about $180,000?” It happens more often than you’d think!
Maybe you moved and forgot to update your address, or a relative passed away and left behind an account you didn’t know existed.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as a check that never got cashed or a bank account that was quietly closed by the bank after years of inactivity.
Life gets busy, paperwork gets lost, and before you know it, your money is sitting in a government vault, waiting for you to come claim it.
How to Search for Unclaimed Property in Your State
Ready to go treasure hunting? Here’s how you can check if you have unclaimed property:1. Go to Your State’s Official Unclaimed Property Website
Every state has an official site—don’t be fooled by lookalikes or sites that ask for payment (more on that in a moment). We’ve included a handy list of official links at the end of this article.2. Search Your Name
Enter your full name (and any previous names, like a maiden name) into the search bar. You can also search for family members, just in case.3. Review the Results
The site will show a list of possible matches. If you spot your name, click on the entry for more details.4. File a Claim
If you think the property is yours, follow the instructions to file a claim. You’ll typically need to provide your name, Social Security number, and current address. Sometimes, you’ll be asked for additional proof, like a copy of your ID or Social Security card.5. Track Your Claim
Once you submit your claim, you’ll get a claim ID to track its progress. Some states, like Florida, may require several levels of approval before releasing the funds, so be patient!Also read: Are you eligible for a surprise $1,000 “gaming” payout? Discover the 3 must-know requirements!
Where to Search: Official State Unclaimed Property Websites
Here are just a few official sites to get you started:- Alaska: unclaimedproperty.alaska.gov
- Arizona: azdor.gov/unclaimed-property
- Colorado: colorado.gov/treasury/gcp
- Delaware: unclaimedproperty.delaware.gov
- Indiana: indianaunclaimed.com
- Louisiana: louisiana.findyourunclaimedproperty.com
- Maryland: marylandtaxes.gov/unclaimed-property
- Michigan: unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov
- Minnesota: mn.gov/commerce/money/unclaimed-property
- Missouri: treasurer.mo.gov/unclaimedproperty
- New Jersey: unclaimedproperty.nj.gov
- New York: osc.state.ny.us/unclaimed-funds
- Oregon: unclaimed.oregon.gov
- South Carolina: treasurer.sc.gov/unclaimed-property-program
Also read: Could these numbers change your life? Experts share their picks in the $1.1B Powerball drawing!
The process should never require you to pay a fee. If a website asks for payment, close it immediately. The official state-run sites are always free to use.
If you’re ever in doubt, you can find your state’s official site through the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) at unclaimed.org.
The woman who found $180,000 isn’t the only one to strike gold. Across the country, people are discovering everything from lost paychecks to family heirlooms. In another recent case, a couple won $1 million from a scratch-off lottery ticket they bought on a whim.
While not technically “unclaimed property,” it’s a reminder that luck can strike when you least expect it!
Read next: Are you missing out? 15 legitimate ways to claim free money from the government
