Unclaimed property funds await their owners

Texas might have some money waiting for you.

The state Comptroller’s Office is holding onto $8.8 billion worth of unclaimed properties that are waiting to be returned to their rightful owners, KUT News reports. Those properties include things like unclaimed refunds and uncashed checks.

“If money hasn’t been claimed … after a few years, the holder of the asset (like the bank) must send the money to the Texas Comptroller,” KUT reports. 

To see whether any of that money is waiting for you, visit ClaimItTexas.gov and search your name. If you find you have unclaimed property — congratulations — click the “claim” button and go from there. The service is free, and if your claim is verified, you’ll have a check coming your way.

For more information, you can visit the website, but unclaimed property can be so-called abandoned assets, like the following:

• dividend, payroll or cashier’s checks
• stocks, bonds or mutual fund accounts
• utility deposits and other refunds
• bank accounts and safe deposit box contents
• insurance proceeds
• mineral interest or royalty payments
• court deposits, trust funds or escrow accounts
• overpayments on insurance, utilities and other bills

Unclaimed money remains with the Comptroller indefinitely until it’s returned to its owner.