If you think that a government agency has money, property, or another asset that belongs to you, you need to have this information to claim it:
- what specific money, property, or asset you want to claim
- the date on which you expected to get it
- how you expected to get it
- which government agency has it
Each agency keeps its own records. There is no governmentwide, centralized source for unclaimed money or other assets.
If you know the agency, contact them
The agency should be able to help you figure out the current status of a payment. (For example, the IRS has a link on its website to help you find out about a refund you expected.)
You can find contact information for all federal agencies at www.usa.gov/federal-agencies.
We return unused funds to the agencies
We, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, issue payments on behalf of many federal agencies. (For example, if you get a veteran's benefit check every month, the VA tells us to pay it and we issue the payment.)
When the Treasury center that issued the payment learns that the payment can't be delivered or isn't cashed in the allotted time or is returned for another reason, we cancel the payment and return the money to the relevant agency.
If you are missing a payment, you must go to the agency to have them tell us to issue it again.
If you are not sure about unclaimed money
You may search in these databases for unclaimed money that might be owed to you:
www.unclaimed.org is the website of the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. This is a legitimate site created by state officials to help people search for funds that may belong to you or your relatives. Searches are free.
If you get a letter saying that a company can help you if you pay them
Some companies (also called "locator services") are in the business of helping people get unclaimed money. They charge a fee for their service.
Here's how they help: They use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to get information on checks that government agencies (federal, state, and local) issue that have not been cashed. If they can match a check in the list they get through FOIA to you, they try to find you and offer to try to collect the money from the agency for you. You pay them a "finder's fee" for helping you.
Related web pages
Unpaid foreign claims – If you suffered certain, specific types of loss in a foreign country, you may be able to claim money from the U.S. government.
Reports of unclaimed money – This page has lists of unclaimed money in different categories.
Report of receivables from unclaimed money – This page, which is mainly for government agencies, includes a table of how much unclaimed money different federal agencies report.
FAQs
We return unused funds to the agencies
When the Treasury center that issued the payment learns that the payment can't be delivered or isn't cashed in the allotted time or is returned for another reason, we cancel the payment and return the money to the relevant agency.
What happens to unclaimed US savings bonds? ›
For those fully matured bonds remaining unredeemed, there is no active program by the Bureau to locate the bondholders and pay them the proceeds to which they are entitled. Traditionally, it has been up to the registered owner to remember to redeem the matured bond decades after the initial purchase.
How do I find out if I have unclaimed savings bonds? ›
Searching for a bond (Treasury Hunt®)
Treasury Hunt is our online search tool for finding Treasury Securities or missing interest. you, or a loved one who has died, have Treasury securities for which proceeds have not been paid.
How to find out if you have stocks and bonds in your name? ›
U.S. Treasury securities
You can use the Treasury Hunt search engine, at www.treasurydirect.gov/indiv/indiv.htm, to track down matured savings bonds or missed payments from securities. Click on "Search for Your Securities in Treasury Hunt." Simply type in your Social Security number to start.
What does unclaimed money refund mean? ›
Unclaimed funds are money and other assets whose rightful owner cannot be located. Unclaimed funds are typically turned over to the government after a specific period of time has passed. To claim the funds or assets, the designated owner or beneficiary must file a claim.
How long does the IRS hold unclaimed money? ›
When a taxpayer who is getting a refund does not file a return, the law gives them three years to claim that tax refund.
Is TreasuryDirect.gov legit? ›
TreasuryDirect.gov is the one and only place to electronically buy and redeem U.S. Savings Bonds. We also offer electronic sales and auctions of other U.S.-backed investments to the general public, financial professionals, and state and local governments.
Is treasuryhunt.gov legitimate? ›
An online tool from the Treasury can help you determine if you have any lost bonds, before submitting a recovery claim. “A shortcut you can take to find missing savings bonds is to head to treasuryhunt.gov, which shows matured, uncashed savings bonds,” says Leslie H. Tayne, founder of the Tayne Law Group.
What is the best website to find unclaimed money? ›
Most states participate in MissingMoney.com—a free website, sponsored by NAUPA, from which you can search participating state's databases for unclaimed property.
Can you look up savings bonds by Social Security Number? ›
With your Social Security Number (or Taxpayer Identification Number) or name and state, you can use our Treasury Hunt search to see if you have any savings bonds listed in our database. If you do, you'll get information on how to claim and cash them. We update Treasury Hunt every month.
Search for matured savings bonds and missing interest using Treasury Hunt, an online tool from TreasuryDirect.
How do I find out how many bonds I have? ›
Or you can call us for a replacement Bond record and we'll send it to you. If you aren't registered for our online and phone service, you can write to us and ask for a replacement Bond record too. This Bond record will show all the Bonds you hold and your holder's number.
What happens to uncashed IRS refund checks? ›
If the check wasn't cashed, you'll receive a replacement check once the original check is canceled. If the refund check was cashed, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS) will provide you with a claim package that includes a copy of the cashed check.
Can the Department of Treasury take my tax refund? ›
If you have a past due, legally enforceable California income tax debt and are entitled to a federal income tax refund, we are authorized to have your refund withheld (offset) to pay your balance due. We may charge a fee for federal offsets.
What does the Treasury do with old money? ›
The Federal Reserve Bank will then store the damaged bills for destruction. When enough old bills have been collected, the Federal Reserve Banks will shred them. If you take a tour of a Federal Reserve Bank, you can sometimes take home your very own unique souvenir: a bag of shredded paper money!
What does the US Treasury do with its money? ›
The Department of the Treasury operates and maintains systems that are critical to the nation's financial infrastructure, such as the production of coin and currency, the disbursem*nt of payments to the American public, revenue collection, and the borrowing of funds necessary to run the federal government.
