Missing money? 1 in 5 Florida residents have unclaimed cash, here's how to search

Ever get the feeling you were missing something?

The state of Florida returned more than $26 million in unclaimed property to residents last month, according to a release from the state's Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, part of $2.5 billion that has been returned since 2017 through FLTreasureHunt.gov. All you have to do to get yours (if you have any) is ask.

"It's estimated that one in five Floridians has unclaimed property just waiting to be claimed, with an average claim of $825," Partonis said. "This extra cash can be a lifeline for those on fixed incomes or families facing tight budgets. Don’t delay – start your treasure hunt today."

This can be money in old bank accounts, insurance and utility company accounts, securities and trust holdings, uncashed checks, traveler's checks, life insurance benefits, trust distributions, customer overpayments, stocks and bonds, utility security deposits, and more. It also can be tangible things like watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles from abandoned safe deposit boxes.

Here's how you can check for yourself.

What is Florida Treasure Hunt? What is missingmoney.com?

The FLTreasureHunt.gov site was established in 2017 to allow Florida residents to easily search for missing property.

About four million Floridians have unclaimed property waiting on them, which means there's a 1-in-5 chance some of it is yours.

Missingmoney.com is a nationwide search site. Both are free to use.

How much money was returned to Floridians in June?

According to Patronis, more than $26 million was returned last month, broken down by region:

• Pensacola – $568,871
• Panama City – $178,318
• Tallahassee – $1.86 Million
• Jacksonville – $1.66 Million
• Gainesville – $337,875
• Orlando – $4.6 Million
• Tampa/St. Pete – $6.14 Million
• Fort Myers/Naples – $1.95 Million
• West Palm Beach – $3 Million
• Miami – $5.83 Million

What happens to missing property in Florida that isn't claimed?

Under Florida law, unclaimed money must be held by business or government entities for a set amount of time, usually about five years while they try to track down the owners. Then it is deposited into the state school fund and used for public education, but there is no statute of limitations and citizens may claim their property at any time.

Some unclaimed property may be auctioned off to the public. The next auction is Aug. 24, 2024, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in West Palm Beach.

Does it cost anything to reclaim my missing property?

No, the service is completely free, per state law. Don't trust any services promising to find them for you for a fee.

How do I search for my missing money in Florida?

You've got a couple of ways to check for your loose change, both free of charge.

• Florida's Treasure Hunt: Search for forgotten financial accounts with this state-provided search
• MissingMoney.com: Search for missing money across all 50 states at once, and submit claims

Enter your name or the name of a family member to search for unclaimed property. If something pops up, click on it to see the amount (if available), who reported it, and how to claim it. You'll have to prove you owned the account.

Be sure to search for different versions of your name, including common misspellings, nicknames, and even your last name and just the initial of your first name. If you are or were married, try a plural version of your last name with just THE after it, like SMITHS THE.

The state has up to 90 days to make a determination once it gets your completed claim and proof of ID. You can check the status here.

Can I claim property that belongs to a deceased relative?

You can claim property on behalf of a deceased person, provided you are the next of kin and can provide certified copies of official documentation that establishes your entitlement to the property and a certified death certificate for the owner.

Does the state pay interest on unclaimed money?

No. Two St. Petersburg residents are currently suing the state for that, claiming that the state does not offer "just compensation" to people who claim property, according to the News Service of Florida.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle sided with the state last year, but it's going to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Georgia in November.

Are there other ways to find missing money in Florida?

There are several different places to check for money or property that belongs to you.

• Unpaid wages: Search the Department of Labor’s database for back pay you might be owed, or check the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to search for an unclaimed pension.
• Retirement funds: Did you have 401(k) accounts at previous jobs? The National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits can help you find money being held from prior employers.
• Unclaimed insurance money: Search the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) database for unclaimed insurance funds, and the the HUD database if you had an FHA-insured mortgage to see if you are eligible for a refund.
• Tax refunds: Use the IRS' Where’s My Refund? search tool if you haven't gotten your tax refund yet.
• Investments: Search the FDIC database for unclaimed funds from failed banks or closed financial institutions, or look for unclaimed deposits from closed credit unions.
• Savings bonds: TreasuryHunt.gov can help you find matured savings bonds that are no longer earning interest. You can also learn how to replace a lost or destroyed savings bond.
• Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts: The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (BTFA) manages Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts for Native American and Alaska Native beneficiaries. Check the Whereabouts Unknown search tool to see if you have an unclaimed account.