New York State Residents Urged to Check for Unclaimed Funds, $17.5 Billion Waiting to Be Claimed

New York State residents are being urged to check if they have unclaimed funds, as there is a staggering $17.5 billion in lost money waiting to be claimed. According to the New York State Office of the State Comptroller, every day $1.5 million is returned to those who file claims.

The lost or unclaimed money comes from dormant accounts that organizations are required to report to the state, including forgotten savings accounts, lost paychecks, and stocks or bonds.

Residents can use the Search for Lost Money online service on the New York State Office of the State Comptroller’s website to check for unclaimed funds. By entering their name or the name of the business or organization they are searching for, and clicking search, they can see if there is a match. If there is, the results will show the matching names.

Those who find one or more accounts in their name can potentially claim it online and receive a check within a few weeks. However, some accounts must be claimed by mail and require documentation proving that the claimant is the rightful owner of the funds. It is important to follow the step-by-step instructions when submitting a claim.

After filing a claim, claimants can check its progress on the New York State Office of the State Comptroller’s website.

Residents are encouraged not to miss out on the chance to claim what is rightfully theirs. By checking for unclaimed funds, they may receive a pleasant surprise and potentially improve their financial situation.