Does Texas Have Your Money? $4 Billion In Funds Unclaimed

The Texas Comptroller's Unclaimed Property Division has returned some $2 billion in lost money to its rightful owners since its inception in 1962, but $4 billion more in cash and other valuables remain unclaimed.

Lost or unclaimed money like forgotten savings accounts, lost paychecks and stocks or bonds end up in the hands of the comptroller's office by way of organizations required to report dormant accounts. The money lies in wait until the right person comes along with a proper claim.

It does not include real estate or vehicles.

There is no statute of limitations for unclaimed property the state holds, which means there’s no time limit for owners to file a claim — they can do so at any time.

The comptroller's office processes online claims within two weeks while paper claims take longer to process. Some of the types of unclaimed funds accounts include:

• Bank Accounts – savings, checking and CDs
• Court Funds
• Dividends
• Estate Proceeds
• Insurance Benefits/Policies
• Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds
• Telephone/Utility/Security Deposits

In 2016 alone, the Texas Comptroller paid out a record-breaking $281 million.

Claims can be submitted online or via email. The comptroller's office has more information here on how one can go about filing a claim in Texas.

The best ways to stop your assets from becoming unclaimed property are to keep accurate financial records and to contact your bank directly if you move, according to the comptroller's office.

Click here to see if the Unclaimed Property Division has money owed to you.

Image via Patch, Shutterstock