Chiefs focus Did you know that New York has billions of dollars that haven’t been claimed? It’s real! You could have money ready for you to claim it. One way to find out is to search a database and see if any of the information is yours.
You are welcome to look through this database to find your lost money. It’s an easy and quick way to find out if the state owes you money.
Based on information from the Comptroller’s Office, the USA Today Network in New York makes its own database of unclaimed funds every year. You just type in a name, and the database will show you any names that match.
- The USA TODAY Network’s database reveals amounts owed as small as $3, tracing back to 1985.
- The state Comptroller’s Office has its own site, which displays funds as little as $20.
There are several methods to claim your money in New York:
- Visit the Comptroller’s website.
- Send a claim through the mail to: The New York State Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.
- Call (800) 221-9311.
- Reclaiming funds is completely free of charge.
- Each year, more than 10 million searches are conducted.
- Interest on interest-bearing accounts is provided for five years, currently at 1%.
- If money isn’t claimed after several years, it goes into the state’s general fund to support various programs and services.
- Approximately 45% of the money originates from old bank accounts, with financial institutions required to transfer dormant funds to the state.
- With 42 million accounts, the Comptroller’s Office returns over $1.5 million daily.
- The largest amount ever returned was $5.2 million from a stock claim.
- The largest amount still unclaimed is about $8 million for an estate.
- 70% of claims are for sums less than $100.
For answers to other frequently asked questions about unclaimed funds, visit the Comptroller’s Office website.
ChiefsFocus is a dedicated news writer with extensive experience in covering news across the United States. With a passion for storytelling and a commitment to journalistic integrity, ChiefsFocus delivers accurate and engaging content that informs and resonates with readers, keeping them updated on the latest developments nationwide.
