California Licensed · BBB A+ Rated

Money you didn't know existed. We find it. You keep it.

We have recovered $5M+ in forgotten 401(k)s, stock dividends, and bank accounts for Californians. 98% success rate. Zero upfront costs.

Reviewed by Anya Hanna, Founder and CEO, Find My Money · Licensed California Asset Recovery Firm · Last updated May 2026

$5M+
Recovered for Californians
98%
Success rate
100+
Californians helped
5.0 ★
44 Google reviews

What we recover

What's waiting for you in California

California holds $15B+ in unclaimed property. Most people have no idea it exists. Here is what we find most often.

Old 401(k)s and Retirement Accounts

$47,000

When you leave a job, small balances get cashed out and sent to the state if you cannot be reached. Happens when you move, change numbers, or your employer merges or closes.

Job change 5+ years agoCompany acquiredMoved cities

Oakland resident · 2015 employer · "Thought the balance was too small to worry about"

Stock Shares and Dividend Payments

$2,100

Employee stock purchase plans, forgotten brokerage accounts, uncashed dividend checks. When companies cannot deliver payments, funds go to the state. Common after acquisitions.

ESPP from old employerInherited stockUncashed dividends

PG&E employee stock · Changed addresses twice · Checks never forwarded

Dormant Bank Accounts

$1,240

After 3 to 5 years of no activity, banks send dormant accounts to the state. Savings accounts, checking accounts, CDs, and utility deposits all qualify once they go inactive long enough.

College savings accountUtility depositsOld checking account

Sacramento · College savings from 2012 · Moved out of state and forgot about it

Life Insurance Payouts

$12,300

Insurance companies try to find beneficiaries but often cannot. Families frequently do not know certain policies existed, especially employer-sponsored life insurance from jobs held decades ago.

Parent's unknown policyNever notifiedEmployer policy

Fresno · Deceased parent · Insurance had old address and stopped searching

Unclaimed Paychecks and Commissions

$3,450

Final paychecks, bonuses, and expense reimbursements from job transitions. When you leave quickly or a company cannot reach you, payments sit uncashed until the state picks them up.

Quick job changeSales commissionsUnused PTO payout

Final sales commission · Accepted new offer quickly · Moved cities the same month

Security Deposits and Utility Refunds

$890

Apartment deposits, PG&E utility deposits, and insurance credits. Small amounts individually, but they add up when you move frequently or switch providers. Many people never follow up.

Apartment depositPG&E depositInsurance refund

San Diego apartment · Property management changed · Tenant records lost in transition

Inheritance from Deceased Relatives

$15,600

When estate executors cannot locate beneficiaries, assets go to the state. Families often learn about these funds years later. Find My Money specializes in locating heirs and navigating probate requirements.

Parent's estateDistant relativeNever notified

Distant aunt's estate · Executor could not locate next of kin · Found 4 years later

Unclaimed Tax Refunds

$1,240

State and federal refunds that were returned as undeliverable or never cashed. Common after moves. California and the IRS both hold these indefinitely until claimed.

Moved before deliveryAmended returnsOld address on file

2019 state refund · Amended return mailed to address from two moves ago

Less obvious claims

We also recover these

Often overlooked, these claim types add up quickly when you have moved, changed employers, or had relatives pass away.

Safe deposit box contents

When banks close or merge, contents get turned over to the state

Jewelry valued at $8,200
Savings bonds worth $3,450

Court settlements and judgments

Unclaimed lawsuit payouts, class action funds, and small claims judgments

Class action: $840
Small claims: $2,100

Business vendor payments

Outstanding invoices, vendor credits, and refunds owed to businesses

Vendor credit: $1,890
Account refund: $650

Escrow and trust funds

Leftover funds from real estate closings and refinancing transactions

Home sale overage: $3,200
Refinance escrow: $890

Mineral rights and royalties

Oil, gas, and mining royalty payments that could not be delivered

Oil royalties: $6,400
Mineral lease: $2,100

Customer overpayments and credits

Credits from utilities, insurance companies, and subscription services

Cable overpayment: $340
Insurance credit: $725

Student loan refunds

Overpayments and forgiveness credits from loan servicers

Loan overpayment: $1,450
School refund: $680

Medical and dental refunds

Insurance overpayments, FSA balances, and provider billing credits

FSA balance: $890
Provider credit: $420

Gift cards and store credits

Unredeemed balances from closed retailers and bankrupt chains

Closed retailer: $180
Store bankruptcy: $250

Phone and internet deposits

Service deposits from cell carriers and internet providers never returned

Cell phone deposit: $200
Internet service: $150

California holds over $15 billion in unclaimed property. About 1 in 7 Californians has money waiting. Most have no idea it exists.

The process

Simple process. Real results.

We handle everything. You sign a few things and wait for your check.

1

We find your money

Our platform monitors California databases daily. When unclaimed property appears in your name, we reach out. Most people have no idea the funds exist.

Direct state accessFree search
2

We handle the paperwork

Forms, notarization, state filing. We cover the notary cost and track everything. You sign a few things. That is it.

Notary includedFull tracking
3

You get paid

The state sends your check directly. We take our percentage only after you are paid. You never write us a check.

3 to 6 month averageNo upfront fees

Client stories

Real people, real results

5.0 from 44 verified Google reviews

Find My Money was truly outstanding. Initially skeptical, but after a 10-minute conversation my CPA and I were both confident. Check arrived last week.

Jeff D. · California
$69,000 recovered

Found my sister and me $69,000. Honest and knowledgeable, following through on every detail no matter how small. They are awesome.

Dennis M. · California

Hesitant at first, sounded too good to be true. But they delivered exactly what was promised. Professional, efficient, no surprises.

Brette L. · California

Common questions

Questions about unclaimed property types

What types of unclaimed property does Find My Money recover?

Find My Money recovers all types of California unclaimed property: forgotten 401(k)s and retirement accounts, stock shares and dividends, dormant bank accounts, life insurance payouts, unclaimed paychecks and commissions, security deposits, inheritance from deceased relatives, tax refunds, safe deposit box contents, court settlements, business vendor payments, escrow funds, mineral rights royalties, and utility overpayments. If the California State Controller holds it, we can recover it.

How much unclaimed property does California hold?

The California State Controller's Office holds over $15 billion in unclaimed property as of 2026. That figure grows every year as banks, insurance companies, employers, and other institutions report dormant accounts and undeliverable funds. About 1 in 7 Californians has unclaimed money sitting with the state right now.

What is the most common type of unclaimed property in California?

The most common types are dormant bank accounts, forgotten 401(k) balances from previous employers, uncashed dividend checks, life insurance benefits where beneficiaries were not located, and security deposits from apartment moves. Old 401(k) accounts from job changes 5 or more years ago are particularly common and often worth far more than people expect.

Can Find My Money recover property from a deceased relative?

Yes. Estate and inheritance recovery is one of our specialties. When a relative passes and their assets go unclaimed, Find My Money locates all eligible heirs, prepares probate documentation, and files with the California State Controller. Average estate recovery is $42,000 to $69,000. These cases need death certificates, proof of relationship, and sometimes probate court documents, all of which we help gather.

How long does California hold unclaimed property?

California holds unclaimed property indefinitely. There is no deadline. The State Controller is required by law to hold funds until the rightful owner or heir claims them. Money reported to the state 30 years ago is still claimable today. The sooner you claim it, the better, but there is no risk of losing it to a statute of limitations.

We'll reach out when we find money in your name

Our team monitors California databases daily. No upfront cost. We only get paid when you do.

Request a callback
Call (650) 761-7847