Arkansas Unclaimed Funds

There is currently more than $214 million worth of Arkansas unclaimed funds being held by the Arkansas Auditor of the State!

Millions of dollars are reported to the state each year by businesses and government agencies.  The Arkansas Auditor of the State is obligated to return these unclaimed funds to their rightful owners or heirs.  This is done through the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt.

Unclaimed funds can consist of:

• savings and checking accounts
• unpaid wages or commission
• stocks and bonds
• utility deposits
• insurance proceeds
• cashier’s checks
• money orders
• contents of safe deposit boxes

and many other items not listed.

Funds can go unclaimed for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to:

• leaving a job without getting your final check
• moving without getting your utility deposit back
• not knowing about an insurance claim
• not knowing about an inheritance

The list of reasons goes on and on.

An Owner is a person to whom the funds are owed.  

A holder is the business or government agency that is reporting and submitting the unclaimed funds to the State of Arkansas.

The owner, estate, or rightful heir of the funds may file a claim.

There is no time limit to file a claim.  The Auditor of the State’s office holds onto unclaimed funds for their rightful owner forever.

There is no charge or fee to collect unclaimed funds.

The easiest and fastest way to see if you have unclaimed funds being held in Arkansas is to search the database at ClaimItAR.gov

To protect the privacy of the owners, the State does not publish exact dollar amounts, only amount ranges. The actual amount will be listed on the claim form once the claim has been filed.

The State Auditor’s office never sends texts to update you about unclaimed funds.  If you receive a text regarding unclaimed funds, please be aware that these messages are not legitimate.  This is a scheme used by people trying to scam you to get personal information.  

Different items have different dormancy periods before they are turned over to the State. The dormancy period is the length of time that there has been no action on an account.

The State processes checks once a week and they are usually mailed on Fridays using the USPS.  The State does not offer same day checks.  

If you are calling the State to check on a claim, you should have the claim number, located in the top right-hand corner under the bar code, or the Property ID, which is in the property detail section of the claim form.

If it has been determined that you are not the rightful owner of a claim, the claim will be denied, and you will be notified by email, postal mail, or a phone call.

If the claim is for $1000 or more, contains shares of stock, or contains the contents of a safety deposit box, then you must have the claim form notarized.

If you have changed your name, a copy of a marriage certificate or a document showing the name change will be sufficient proof.

It may take up to 90 days to process a claim.  Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the claim and the volume of claims in the Office of the Auditor.

The States goal is to work on claims as quickly as possible.  You can check the status of a claim at https://www.claimitar.gov/app/claim-status-search

The office does not offer direct deposit for claims to be paid.

There are many different types of claims that can be filed.  Examples are owners, heirs, and businesses.  Each claim requires different documentation.  However, all claims will require a government issued identification such as a driver’s license or passport.  Additionally, a Social Security Number or Federal Employer Identification Number is required.  In some cases, additional proof of ownership may be required, such as proof of a previous address.

Walk-in claim information is not available at the Auditors office due to security concerns.  The best way to contact the office about a claim is by email at claimit@auditor.ar.gov or by phone at 1-800-CLAIMIT (1-800-252-4648). You can also upload your documents at https://www.claimitar.gov/app/claim-doc-upload.

Single owner claims that are under $5,000 and do not include shares of stock, safe contents, or royalties qualify to E-Sign.  All other claims require a completed claim form along with the required supporting documents.  

Once money has been dormant for the period of time (see table below), the company that is holding it is required by law to turn it over to unclaimed money department.

There it is held in perpetuity until the rightful owner claims it.

Arkansas UCP Dormancy Periods

Property Type	Period
Class Action proceeds	1 year
Courts	1 year
Credit Balance	3 years
Debt Security	5 years
Demand, Savings, or Time Deposit	5 years
Dissolution Distribution	1 year
Government, Governmental Subdivision, Agency or Instrumentality	1 year
Insurance/Annuity	3 years
Life/Endowment	3 years
Mineral Proceeds	5 years
Money Orders	7 years
Retirement Accounts and Plans	3 years
Safe Deposit Box Contents or Safekeeping	5 years
Stock or other equity interest	5 years
Travelers Checks	15 years
Wages, commissions	1 year
Utility Deposit or Refund	1 year
All Other Property not specifically listed such as uncashed checks, drafts, and instruments; property held by agents and fiduciaries, etc.	5 years

Most claims may be filed electronically at ClaimItAR.gov. You may also call 1-800-CLAIMIT (1-800-252-4648) to have an Unclaimed Funds Representative help you file your claim.

For more information on Arkansas unclaimed money, and to do your own search, please go to the Arkansas Unclaimed Money website.

You can contact the Arkansas unclaimed funds division at:

Unclaimed Property Division
1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 325
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-6000
Fax: 501-683-4285
To file a claim: claimit@auditor.ar.gov

 

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