State Controller Malia Cohen announced February 28 that California has joined MissingMoney.com, a free national website created to reunite people with unclaimed property.
The website allows users to search unclaimed property databases in 48 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
“My office safeguards over $11 billion in unclaimed property belonging to Californians, and I am committed to making the claims process easier for everyone,” Cohen said. “The Missing Money website is another useful tool in that effort.”
Californians can start their unclaimed property search through the controller’s website at claimit.ca.gov, can check the multistate site at MissingMoney.com, or can call 1-800-992-4647.
California law requires banks, insurance companies, and other businesses to transfer property to the controller after a period of no activity (generally three years). Bank accounts, insurance benefits, uncashed checks, wages, stocks, bonds, and safe deposit box contents are common types of unclaimed property, the controller noted.