6 Places to Look for Money You Forgot You Had (Free Official Searches)
You may have forgotten money sitting under your name, and the first step to find out is a free search on official government sites.
Old paychecks, utility deposits, retirement plans, tax refunds and life insurance can all slip through the cracks when you move or change jobs.
This guide shows six official places to look, what each one searches, how to avoid scams, and what to check before you start your search.
Searching through your official state program is free, and so is MissingMoney.com, a site sponsored by NAUPA that checks participating states in one search.
What counts as forgotten money?
Forgotten money is any funds that an organization could not return to you, from a bank balance or an uncashed paycheck to a refund or an insurance benefit. Where it is held depends on the type, which is why there is no single database for everything.
6 places to look for money you forgot you had
1. Your state’s unclaimed property program
States hold money that businesses could not deliver, such as old bank accounts, uncashed checks, utility deposits and forgotten refunds. MissingMoney.com searches the participating states at once and links to each official state site for the claim.
2. Retirement plans from old jobs
The Department of Labor runs the Retirement Savings Lost and Found database for private-sector and union plans. It points you to the plan administrator, who handles the actual claim.
3. Life insurance and annuities of a loved one
The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator is a free service for policies and annuities of someone who has died. Participating insurers check their records and contact you directly if they find a match.
4. Federal tax refunds
A refund you never claimed can still be available. Generally you have three years from filing your original return to claim it, or two years from paying the tax, whichever is later.
5. Old savings bonds
Savings bonds that stopped earning interest are easy to forget in a drawer. TreasuryDirect has a Treasury Hunt tool for matured bonds and explains how to replace bonds that were lost, stolen or destroyed.
6. Refunds from FTC cases
When the Federal Trade Commission wins a case, it can send money back to people who were harmed. The FTC keeps a list of active refund programs, so you can check whether you were affected.
Many searches come back empty, and that is normal. A search only tells you whether an official database has a record under your name, so checking costs nothing and takes a few minutes.
What to gather before you search
- Every name you have used: maiden names, nicknames and spelling variations can matter.
- Past addresses: list each state where you have lived, even briefly.
- Old employers: write down companies you worked for, with rough dates.
- Old accounts: banks, utilities and insurers you no longer use.
- A safe place for documents: claims may need proof of identity later, but never share it on a page like this one.
Searching and claiming through official state programs is free. The government will not call or text you to ask for an upfront fee, so treat any caller who asks for one as a scam. Start from the official sites linked on this page, and if something feels off, report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
A simple yearly routine
- Search: run MissingMoney.com and your state’s official program once a year.
- Check taxes: look at your IRS refund status and the three-year window.
- Review old accounts: close what you do not need so nothing gets lost.
- Update your address: tell banks, employers and plan administrators when you move.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as unclaimed money?
It is money that an organization could not return to its owner, such as an old bank balance, an uncashed paycheck or a utility deposit. Businesses must turn it over to the state, which holds it until you claim it.
Is it really free to search?
Yes. Searching and claiming through your official state program does not cost anything, and neither does MissingMoney.com, a free site sponsored by NAUPA.
Do I have to search every state?
Not always. MissingMoney.com checks the participating states at once, but not every state takes part. It is smart to also check the official program of each state where you have lived or worked.
Will I get paid if I find something?
A match is not a payment. You still have to file a claim with the agency that holds the money, and it may ask you to prove who you are.
What if a relative passed away?
Money can be left behind by a loved one too. The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator is a free way to search for their lost life insurance policies, and state programs list other forgotten funds.
Should I use a company that offers to find my money?
You do not need to. Third-party finders are legal in most cases, but the official searches are free, so you never have to pay someone to do what you can do yourself.
How often should I check?
Many people check once a year. New names are added over time, and moving, changing jobs or closing accounts can create new records.
Next step
The next page walks you through the official searches step by step, with direct links for each source.
This page is independent, informational content. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or part of any government agency, MissingMoney, NAUPA, the IRS, the Department of Labor, the NAIC, TreasuryDirect or the FTC. We do not search for money on your behalf and we never ask for personal information. Having money to claim is never guaranteed. Details were checked on official sources in October 2026 and may change.
