If you live in California, or--better yet--if you once lived in California but no longer do, the state probably owes you money. Why? Because it's California, and we're constantly getting rebates and refunds and class-action settlements and bank errors in our favor. And when someone or some corporation owes a Californian money, they or it are supposed to try to contact the person owed. They normally don't go out of their way to do this, and if a check is returned or never cashed, they're required by law to turn it over to the state.
That's where the State Controller's Office Unclaimed Property Division comes in. Again, are or were you a California resident? If so, visit here: https://ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex
It's the handy-dandy way to find out whether the state is holding onto any of your money. Some of it might not be worth the effort (a bunch of my cousins are owed amounts like four cents from stock dividends), but most of it is. You can also search any other person's name (including Shaquille O'Neal's, LeBron James's, etc.) to find out whether the state has any of their money.
In general, I check the website every six months or so. If they owe you money, simply fill out the form, and if they can confirm that you're who you claim to be, they'll mail you a check. I've gotten at least six or seven checks this way. If the item in question is a paycheck, the process is a little more cumbersome. I won't tell the whole story here, but my final paycheck from college twenty-five years ago is still there, because the last time I tried to claim it, I didn't have a copy of my 1999 tax return.
But don't let my laziness discourage you; go look for your money now. read more