Got a letter saying you have unclaimed money? How to tell if it’s real
- The Unclaimed Money Guy
Check for Unclaimed Money in Your State
An envelope shows up with your name on it and a line that stops you cold: you may be owed money you never knew about. Maybe it looks official. Maybe it names a dollar amount or a relative you lost years ago. Your first thought is probably "this has to be a scam."
Sometimes it is. But plenty of these letters are real, and tossing a real one means leaving your own money with the state. Here's how to tell the difference in a few minutes, without giving anyone a cent or a single personal detail.
What You Need to Know
Some Unclaimed Money Letters Are Real, and You Can Check Any of Them for Free
Unclaimed money letters usually come from one of three places: your state's unclaimed property office, a private "finder" company that wants a cut for helping you claim, or a scammer. The first two are legal. The third wants your money or your identity.
The safest test is the same for all three: search your name yourself on your state's official .gov unclaimed property site. If the money is real, it will be there, and claiming it from the state is free.
The Quick Answer
Real or Scam? The Letter at a Glance
Real State Notice
Comes from your state treasurer, comptroller or unclaimed property office. It points you to the state's .gov site and never charges a fee.
Finder or Heir-Finder Letter
Comes from a private company. The money is often real, but the company wants you to sign a contract that gives it a percentage.
Scam Letter
Asks for an upfront fee, payment by gift card or wire, or sensitive details by phone or reply mail. Often pushes a deadline.
The Fastest Check
Search your name on your state's official unclaimed property site, which you find yourself, not through the letter.
Cost to Claim From the State
Free. Always.
Best Safety Tip
Never use the phone number, website or QR code printed on the letter to check it. Find your state's unclaimed property office on your own, or start at unclaimed.org, the national association of state programs.
Who Sends These Letters
The Three Kinds of Unclaimed Money Letters
1. A Notice From Your State
States hold billions of dollars in forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, refunds and insurance payouts, and many now mail owners directly. Pennsylvania, for example, runs a Money Match program that automatically mails checks for certain single-owner properties worth up to $500, with no claim form needed. The Treasury sends a letter first and the check follows.
A real state notice tells you to search or file on the state's own website, or tells you a check is on the way. It does not ask you to pay anything to get your money.
2. A Letter From a Finder
Finders (also called locators, investigators or heir finders) comb through state lists, find owners, and offer to recover the money for a share of it. In many states this is legal, and some states cap what finders can charge. California, for example, limits investigator fees to 10% of the property returned.
Finder letters are often vague on purpose. They may say you're owed "a significant sum" without naming the company or the state, because if they told you, you could claim it yourself for free.
3. A Scam
Scam letters borrow the look of the real thing: official-sounding agency names, seals, case numbers and a specific dollar amount. A common version in 2026, flagged by the FTC, poses as a law firm. It says someone who shares your last name died and left a large life insurance policy, and offers to split it with you. The FTC says that policy doesn't exist.
Spot the Fake
Red Flags That an Unclaimed Money Letter Is a Scam
Any one of these is enough to stop and verify before you do anything else:
It Asks You to Pay First
A "processing," "release" or "transfer" fee is the biggest tell. Government agencies don't charge you to get your own money back, and legitimate finders only get paid after you receive yours.
It Wants Gift Cards, Wires, Crypto or a Payment App
No state or real company collects fees this way.
It Pushes a Deadline
"Respond within 10 days or the funds are forfeited" is pressure, not policy. In most states, money held as unclaimed property can be claimed at any time.
It Asks for Sensitive Details by Phone, Text or Mail
Your Social Security number, bank account or online banking login should only go into a claim you start on the state's .gov site.
The Agency Name Is Close, but Not Quite Right
"National Unclaimed Funds Bureau" sounds official. It isn't. Real state offices are named after the state treasurer, comptroller or controller.
It's a Windfall From a Stranger
An inheritance from someone you never heard of, a "client with your last name," or millions from overseas is a classic scam setup.
The Details Don't Add Up
A return address in one state, a postmark from another, a website that was set up last month, or a "lawyer" you can't find with any bar association.
A Text About Unclaimed Money Is Almost Certainly Fake
The FTC warns that state unclaimed property programs don't text people alerts about unclaimed funds. Don't tap the link. Go to your state's site on your own instead.
Check It Yourself
How to Tell If an Unclaimed Money Letter Is Real, Step by Step
-
Don't Call, Click or Reply Yet
Set the letter aside. Don't call the number on it, scan its QR code or visit the website it lists. Scammers count on you acting before you think.
-
Find Your State's Official Unclaimed Property Site
Look up your state treasurer or comptroller yourself, or use our state-by-state search links. The address should end in .gov.
-
Search Your Name
Search your full name, any former names, and the name of a relative if the letter mentions one. Try every state you've lived or worked in. If the letter is real, the property should show up here.
-
Call the State Office If You're Still Unsure
Use the phone number or email on the state's .gov site, not the letter. Staff can tell you whether they sent it.
-
Claim It Directly, for Free
If you find a match, file the claim on the state's site. You'll usually need a photo ID and proof of your address at the time, and sometimes your Social Security number. That's normal on the official site. It is not normal in a phone call or a letter.
-
If Nothing Shows Up, Treat the Letter as Suspect
No match on the state site plus a request for money or personal details means you can safely ignore it. Shred it and report it.
Legit but Costly
What to Do About a Finder's Letter
A finder letter isn't a scam just because it wants a cut. But you rarely need one. Before you sign anything:
Search the State Site First
If the money is listed, you can claim it yourself without a contract.
Read the Percentage
Fees vary, and some states set a legal maximum. Know what you'd be giving up.
Never Pay Upfront
Legitimate finders take their fee only after you've been paid.
Consider One for Hard Cases
A finder or attorney can be worth it for complicated estate claims, old stock, or money spread across several states, as long as the terms are clear.
Already Responded?
What to Do If You Already Responded to a Scam Letter
-
Stop All Contact
Don't send more money or information, even if they promise a refund or say the money is almost released.
-
Call Your Bank or Card Company
If you paid, ask right away about stopping or reversing the payment. For gift cards, call the card company and keep the receipt.
-
Protect Your Identity
If you shared your Social Security number or bank details, change passwords and consider freezing your credit at the three credit bureaus. IdentityTheft.gov walks you through a recovery plan.
-
Report It
Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state's unclaimed property office. A quick heads-up to older relatives helps too; these letters often target them.
Scam Letter FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Unclaimed Money Letters
Do states really mail letters about unclaimed money?
Yes. Many states mail owners directly, and some, like Pennsylvania, send checks automatically for smaller amounts. A real letter points you to the state's own .gov site and never asks for a fee.
Is a finder letter a scam?
Not necessarily. Finders are legal in many states, but they charge a percentage. You can usually claim the same money yourself, free, from the state.
Do I have to pay a fee to claim unclaimed money?
No. Searching and filing a claim with your state's unclaimed property program is free.
Will the government ever call or text me about unclaimed money?
The FTC says government agencies won't call or text asking you to pay to search for or release unclaimed funds, and state programs don't send text alerts about it.
The letter has my real name and address. Doesn't that make it real?
No. State unclaimed property lists are public, and scammers use them, along with data from breaches, to make letters look personal. Always verify on the state site.
Is there a deadline to claim?
In most states, no. Once a company turns money over to the state, the owner or their heirs can generally claim it at any time.
Where do I report an unclaimed money scam?
At ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and to your state's unclaimed property office.
Start Your Search
Skip the Letter and Check for Yourself
The safest way to find out if you're owed money is to search your state's official list directly. It takes a few minutes and it's always free.
