Unclaimed Money Search: Take 5 Minutes to Look Up Your Name for Free

There may be money with your name on it

Old paychecks. A forgotten deposit. A refund that never reached you. When money like this goes unclaimed, it often ends up with your state as unclaimed property.

The good news: you can search for it, and claiming it is free. No government agency will charge you to get your own money back.

September is a busy money month. Estimated taxes are due, and some states announce budget surplus relief checks. It is a good time to also check if you already have money waiting.

Watch out for anyone who asks you to pay

Official searches and claims are always free. Be careful with services that charge a fee to "find" or "recover" your money. You can do the same search yourself at no cost.

The FTC warns that legitimate agencies will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. If someone pressures you, stop and check the official source directly.

OpenFinancial is not a bank or a government agency. We just point you to the free official path.

How prices can quietly follow your data

The FTC is also looking at something called personalized pricing. That is when a company uses your personal data to set a price based on how much it thinks you will pay.

The FTC extended the public comment period on its proposed policy statement about this practice. The new deadline to submit comments is September 25, 2026.

If you want a say in how companies use your data to price what you buy, you can submit a comment for free before that date.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost anything to claim unclaimed money?

No. Searching and claiming your own money through official state programs is free. Be careful with any service that charges a fee to do it for you.

Which states should I search?

Check every state where you have lived, worked, or studied. Money is usually held by the state, not the federal government.

What is personalized pricing?

It is when a company uses your personal data to set a price based on what it thinks you will pay. The FTC is taking public comments on this until September 25, 2026.

How do I comment to the FTC?

You can submit a comment electronically through the FTC before the September 25, 2026 deadline. It is free to do.