Massachusetts is currently holding over $3 billion in unclaimed funds!
Unclaimed funds includes forgotten savings and checking accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and the contents of unattended safe deposit boxes.
Most accounts are considered abandoned and are turned over to the state after three years of inactivity.
The Treasury has returned over 225M in property to its rightful owners in the past two years, making the Commonwealth the state to return the most money on a per-capita basis.
The Treasury releases an updated list of unclaimed property assets every six months as the new accounts are turned over to the Commonwealth. There is no time limit for a person to claim this property and, in many cases, claimants will receive interest.
You can search unclaimed money in Massachusetts at www.findmassmoney.com or call their live call center at 888-344-MASS (6277).
The Treasury has several ways of letting people know they have money being held including:
- Publishing the names in newspapers across the State. In the case of life insurance companies the names are published in September of the same year following the report and for all other property the names are published in March of the year after the report.
- Sending a mail notice is sent to the owners last known address.
- Starting a new an outreach program. This program allows Unclaimed Property staff to visit different events and locations i.e. fairs, nursing homes, malls, etc. in an attempt to reunite owners with their unclaimed property.
There is no time limit for filing claims. The state holds unclaimed assets in perpetuity and in trust for the rightful owners.
It takes approximately 12 weeks to process a claim.
There are three levels of approval after the Division receives a claim form:
- Level One approval is first required to determine if the claimant has supplied proper documentation. If not, a letter will be sent to the claimant explaining what documentation is missing from the claimant’s original submission.
- Level Two approvals will occur after an examination of the returned documents determines that the claimant is the correct individual and eligible to make a claim.
- Level Three approvals are given after verification of all documents provided are in good order and that Level One and Level Two approvals have been properly granted. Once it has been determined that all necessary documents have been provided, and in good order, a claim is approved for payment.
Your social security number is used to verify your identity. The following are considered proper evidence to verify your social security number:
- Drivers License
- Social Security Card
- Tax Records
- Pay Stub containing social security number
The following is considered proper evidence to verify a previous address:
- Old Utility Bill
- Document from previous city/town hall stating old address
- Old deed or mortgage payment
- Old check with proof of former address
You can contact the unclaimed money division during their normal business hours of Monday-Friday 8:45am to 5:00pm EST at 617-367-0400 or 1-800-647-2300 (toll free Massachusetts only)
or write them at:
Department of the State Treasurer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Unclaimed Property Division
One Ashburton Place, 12th Floor
Boston, MA 02108-1608
Email: UCPClaims@tre.state.ma.us
Did you know you can make money finding unclaimed money for other people?
There is a little known business that lets you do that. Unclaimed money finders locate people that don’t know they money being held for them and help them to recover it.
In return, they charge a commission after the money is recovered.
Please click here if you would like to learn more about this business.
How do I request the money that is listed? Do I need to fill out a form or go to a state office o claim the money?
DO you know where i would go to purchase the list for a fee finder?
How do I claim the interest on my unclaimed money in MA? I know it’s in United Bank. The bank claims they are clueless.
I want my money, and I want it now!
“The Unclaimed Property Division is holding over $3 billion in unclaimed funds for the citizens and businesses of the Commonwealth. The Division holds these lost funds until they are claimed by either the original owner or their heirs. Claiming property is fast, easy and free.”
No comment
That’s a comment!
This comment had a sense of humor in it 🙂
I like to know if I have unclaimed money
I am not able to find how to claim Ma money. It only gives me option for property. Please send me the link for funds only.
thank you so much
Roseann
click it & look there, under your name & cities you have lived in. “Property” can also include accounts & financial items
How do I claim my mother’s unclaimed money she passed away in 2002. I have death certificate
im not shore i got money coming to me my social security number is
Laurie,
Please don’t blindly send out your social security number! That can get you into trouble if it falls into the wrong hands.
I am looking for my son’s money. His name was published in the paper insert. Scott P. Johnson
Looking for unclaimed money
checking to see if i have unclaimed money.
There are several David Merritt’s listed but not a David V. Sometimes they leave that out, so you may want to go to https://findmassmoney.com/ and do a search and see if you recognize anything.
do i have unclaimed money.
Checking to see if we have uncollected funds
William j Vowler
Joan c Vowler
Robert,
You don’t need to go to the state office to claim your money. There is a claim form on the site that you can fill out. Once you find a property that belongs to you there is a button that says “Initiate Claim” underneath the property information. If you click on that it will take you step by step through the information that you need to fill out. Once you fill it out you hit submit and it goes to the state for further review. You can print a receipt of the information you submitted. There is also a link that you can click to check the claim status after you have submitted it.
How do I request the money that is listed? Do I need to fill out a form or go to a state office o claim the money?