Hey, who doesn’t love free money, right? I mean, sure, you might scoop up a shiny quarter off the sidewalk or fish some crumpled bills out of the couch cushions, but what if I told you there’s a whole treasure trove of cash out there with your name on it—legitimately yours, just waiting to be claimed?
Here’s the kicker: experts estimate there’s over $41 billion in unclaimed money floating around the U.S. alone—cash that people don’t even realize belongs to them! Millions have already tracked down their lost loot, but there’s still plenty out there, and some of it could be yours.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
So, how do you snag this easy money? It’s simpler than you’d think. Start with the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) website—it’s your one-stop shop for info on unclaimed property laws across all 50 U.S. states, plus D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and even parts of Canada like Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta.
From there, you can visit your state’s treasury or revenue department site (NAUPA’s got all the links handy). Better yet, hit up MissingMoney.com first—it’s a free service that searches participating states nationwide in one go, saving you the hassle.
This isn’t some wild goose chase, either. A quick search could take just a few minutes and might land you a nice chunk of change.
NAUPA says the average claim is around $892—nothing to sneeze at—but get this: a woman in Missouri recently hit the jackpot with a cool $6.1 million she didn’t even know she had!
You can claim cash that’s yours or even money you’re entitled to as a legal heir. Own a business? You can file for that, too.
Now, a quick heads-up: pump the brakes if someone slides into your inbox promising to “find” your money for a fee. It could be a scam. ven if it’s legit, why pay someone when you can DIY this for free
Want to keep your cash from going AWOL in the first place? Here’s some pro-level advice:
- Cash those checks—wages, dividends, settlements—ASAP. Don’t let ‘em gather dust.
- Stay in touch with your bank or financial professionals. Avoid sketchy emails and call or visit in person to update your information.
- Moving? Tell every company you’ve dealt with—banks, utilities, insurers—so they don’t lose you.
- Got a safe deposit box? Hand that spare key to someone you trust.
- Keep a tidy record of your financial life—bank accounts, insurance policies, stock certificates, utility deposits—and stash it with your will.
So, what are you waiting for? Go hunt down that free money—it’s out there, yours, and easier to find than that dime you dropped in the parking lot!
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