Might be owed money? Here’s how to find it (for free)
I’ll never forget helping Robert from Virginia find $24,578 sitting in a bank account he didn’t know existed. He heard me talk about how to find hidden money on my national radio show.
Every year, I shout about this from the rooftops (and my national radio show). Lost money isn’t a myth. It’s trillions just chilling in government vaults and banker spreadsheets, waiting for someone like you to claim it.
Unless you’ve kept flawless records since the womb, it could absolutely be yours. And no, this isn’t a scam, it’s your money.
We’re talking about forgotten paychecks, closed bank accounts, unused refund checks, overpaid bills, life insurance payouts, security deposits, retirement accounts like 401(k)s, and even savings bonds.
If you’ve ever moved, changed jobs or had a relative pass away, sit up and pay attention. Look up your name and others you know. This tip is mint.
Start with the big one
Go to MissingMoney.com, a free site backed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. Type in your name and any states you’ve lived in.
If there’s a match, you can usually file a claim right then and there. Just be ready to upload proof of identity. A driver’s license or utility bill will do.
If your state isn’t listed there, check Unclaimed.org. It links you directly to every state’s own unclaimed property site.
Your 401(k)
At least $1.7 trillion languishes in lost or forgotten 401(k) accounts. That’s enough to buy several billion avocados or one small California studio apartment. The average unclaimed balance is $56,616!
Check the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits to see if your money’s ghosting you. If you left a job and forgot to roll over your 401(k), your money might be sitting in a holding account.
Banks and credit unions
Closed a bank account years ago? Visit the FDIC’s Unclaimed Funds site. For credit unions, use the NCUA’s asset management site.
Savings bonds, IRS refunds and VA life insurance
- Unclaimed tax refund? Go to IRS.gov/refunds.
- Matured savings bond? Check TreasuryHunt.gov.
- VA life insurance benefits? Search insurance.va.gov.
It only takes five minutes to search, which is less time than you spent looking for your AirPods this morning. It could also mean finding hundreds, even tens of thousands of dollars.
Go ahead. It’s your money. Go get it. P.S. I don’t even want a referral fee, even though girls like to have funds.
Tags: banks/banking, credit unions, FDIC, IRS, money, savings
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