Unclaimed Property

[BurnItDwn]

Ohh my, I had some money from old utility companies from like 10+ years ago ... well, submitted, now we'll see if money actually comes ...
https://icash.illinois.gov/

 

[quikah]

Cool, WI finally updated their system so they can verify you with SSN/name (hadn't checked in 4-5 years). They previously wanted me to send them a noterized copy of my ID. Get my $300 finally.

 

[SlitheryDee]

That's weird... all of the ones I have want me to send a letter in the mail with a claim form, copy of drivers license, copy of SS Card (Or number?), and proof that I lived at the address reported.

The hardest part is the last one. If you don't keep all your old bills, how the hell are you supposed to shit out a document proving you lived somewhere?

I think your credit report should include a list of previous residences.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

That's weird... all of the ones I have want me to send a letter in the mail with a claim form, copy of drivers license, copy of SS Card (Or number?), and proof that I lived at the address reported.

The hardest part is the last one. If you don't keep all your old bills, how the hell are you supposed to shit out a document proving you lived somewhere?

IDK. I entered my info on CA's Controller Website, claimed the property and it gave me the option to file electronically or complete a form. Wasn't difficult at all.

 

[CPA]

Ok - got a question for ya.

What if the name is mispelled? My wife has an odd way of spelling her name, and when signing up for things such as over the phone, they commonly put in what the standard spelling is.

Would we have any issues claiming property with a different spelled name? In this case, it's the first name.

OH! One other question, Is it POSSIBLE that any of these "claims" are actually for admitting that you owe a debt? For example, the Florida website doesn't show the amount. How do we not know it's a negative amount and admittance of debt?

Depending on the information provided by the holder, the state may have other information that can help confirm the property is yours. Some states will even solicit the holder to approve the payment to the requester.

For your second question, no, it's only for property being held by the state. It is not used as a debt collection vehicle. Some states do not show the amount as a matter of law.

 

[CPA]

3rd Question: Can you get in trouble for make an ACCIDENTAL "false" claim? I ask that because there are a good number of items that simply only have the last name - or it is a completely matching name. I have no idea if it's actually mine or not - and nor would anyone else other than trying.

The state will most likely require additional identifying information to confirm you are the rightful owner. They may also solicit the holder (submitter) or simply deny your claim.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Damn...I had a payout of $56,864 dollars...but the IRS took all of it...lolol

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I think your credit report should include a list of previous residences.

Only applies if it's a situation that pertained to credit. I thought about that as well, but what if it's something like...

Leftover apartment funds? Or Unpaid wages? None of those revolve around your credit, so if you moved a lot then it's not going to catch every address you have been at.

My wife's parents moved a lot in her younger days (Apartments). They moved semi-often, and she moved semi-often as well due to going to college.

 

[Bubblehappy]

Good luck on getting that by Christmas. Last time I filed a claim it took over 3 months to get a check.

 

[EliteRetard]

Who doesn't keep documents for 20 years? I have all my paystubs, W2s, receipts etc. I know exactly how much I spent on how many gallons of gas and what the gas mileage was I got out of each tank. It's all very useful and important information.

 

[boomerang]

My grandmother, who has been dead for 40 years had a balance in a credit union account in California that has long since gone over to the state. It's not much, less than $100 IIRC. In researching it, the hoops I would have to jump through to get it don't even begin to make it worth while to pursue.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Who doesn't keep documents for 20 years? I have all my paystubs, W2s, receipts etc. I know exactly how much I spent on how many gallons of gas and what the gas mileage was I got out of each tank. It's all very useful and important information.

Well, I do... now...

But during my initial years of college and such, I hadn't quite kept up with ALL documentation (IE: "Invoices" of Apartment rent for example). My actual rent payments were online. I wasn't employed during my initial college years, so I didn't have a W2 to collect.

But ever since graduating and working full-time I keep all documents on-hand (and backed up) electronically.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

My grandmother, who has been dead for 40 years had a balance in a credit union account in California that has long since gone over to the state. It's not much, less than $100 IIRC. In researching it, the hoops I would have to jump through to get it don't even begin to make it worth while to pursue.

I know it seems like that, but is it really much more than a few phone calls and a letter with documentation? It would be one thing if it required a lawyer of some type, but most seem worthy of perusing.

 

[boomerang]

I know it seems like that, but is it really much more than a few phone calls and a letter with documentation? It would be one thing if it required a lawyer of some type, but most seem worthy of perusing.

No, it's not worth it. I just went to the site and the amount is $120.14. I remember some of the process now. At the site, I have to give them a ton of information about me including SS number. I actually did that in the past. Then I get an email that tells me what I have to do to prove to them that I am who I say I am and that I am related to who I say I'm related to. This is my grandmother on my mother's side so we don't share the same last name which puts a further burden of proof on me. The additional information they asked for I remember as being virtually impossible for me to furnish.

I need birth certificates and death certificates. There is a cost for these that will exceed the payout. I need to show that I am my mother's son and that my mother was her mother's daughter and it's not just a matter of attesting to something, the proof must be more concrete than that.

Everybody is dead. I can see at the website that my grandmother lived at the time in Sylmar CA and I remember that. I was a kid the one time we visited and my grandmother and grandfather (actually my step-grandfather) had a pool in their backyard. That's about all I remember.

I am the last one. Our surname dies with me. There is nobody left to ask about anything.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I was contacted by mail by a Law Firm/Private Investigator notifying me that I had $600 of unclaimed property in CA(Auto Insurance Premium I paid right before moving out of the state and canceling my insurance). The LF/PI wants 10% of the $600 and then they'll send me the claim documentation that I would have to fill out to claim it from CA.

Well, I just went to the CA Unclaimed property site and printed out the claim documents myself and going to mail it out to the State of CA with the requested proof of identification documentation.

Is this LF/PI going to harass me now or try and bill me for their 10% Finders Fee?

 

[JoeBleed]

I was contacted by mail by a Law Firm/Private Investigator notifying me that I had $600 of unclaimed property in CA(Auto Insurance Premium I paid right before moving out of the state and canceling my insurance). The LF/PI wants 10% of the $600 and then they'll send me the claim documentation that I would have to fill out to claim it from CA.

Well, I just went to the CA Unclaimed property site and printed out the claim documents myself and going to mail it out to the State of CA with the requested proof of identification documentation.

Is this LF/PI going to harass me now or try and bill me for their 10% Finders Fee?

if they do, tell them it's not your fault they decided to give you free, unsolicited legal advice.

 

[GasX]

I got about $800 last year. Very gratifying!

 

[edro]

Is this LF/PI going to harass me now or try and bill me for their 10% Finders Fee?

no.
They are just an automated data scraper service that probably get a 5% hit rate on people who actually contact them.

 

[SearchMaster]

I was contacted by mail by a Law Firm/Private Investigator notifying me that I had $600 of unclaimed property in CA(Auto Insurance Premium I paid right before moving out of the state and canceling my insurance). The LF/PI wants 10% of the $600 and then they'll send me the claim documentation that I would have to fill out to claim it from CA.

Well, I just went to the CA Unclaimed property site and printed out the claim documents myself and going to mail it out to the State of CA with the requested proof of identification documentation.

Is this LF/PI going to harass me now or try and bill me for their 10% Finders Fee?

No, you're fine. They just use those lists to fish for "finder's fees".

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

My state takes a small ~2% fee if your claim is $100+

I sent my claim for ~$50 about a week ago. Sadly it required mailing everything, including sending in my SS#. Incredibly disturbing that they don't build technology around this. It would be a shitload easier.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

No, it's not worth it. I just went to the site and the amount is $120.14. I remember some of the process now. At the site, I have to give them a ton of information about me including SS number. I actually did that in the past. Then I get an email that tells me what I have to do to prove to them that I am who I say I am and that I am related to who I say I'm related to. This is my grandmother on my mother's side so we don't share the same last name which puts a further burden of proof on me. The additional information they asked for I remember as being virtually impossible for me to furnish.

I need birth certificates and death certificates. There is a cost for these that will exceed the payout. I need to show that I am my mother's son and that my mother was her mother's daughter and it's not just a matter of attesting to something, the proof must be more concrete than that.

Everybody is dead. I can see at the website that my grandmother lived at the time in Sylmar CA and I remember that. I was a kid the one time we visited and my grandmother and grandfather (actually my step-grandfather) had a pool in their backyard. That's about all I remember.

I am the last one. Our surname dies with me. There is nobody left to ask about anything.

Yeah, but I think you should have that stuff on-hand anyways.

Birth/Death certificates you should have certified copies anyways. You need them for things like claiming property (I mean their actual HOMES) after they pass on. It's very crucial stuff.

I've had to use the certified marriage cert I have countless times for my wife.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I'm owed $10 from an unclaimed Best Buy refund (probably sent it to my old address). It isn't worth the effort to claim it.

 

[boomerang]

Yeah, but I think you should have that stuff on-hand anyways.

Birth/Death certificates you should have certified copies anyways. You need them for things like claiming property (I mean their actual HOMES) after they pass on. It's very crucial stuff.

I've had to use the certified marriage cert I have countless times for my wife.

Why would I have birth and death certificates for an individual that passed away nearly forty years ago? That was all handled by somebody that's dead and gone too.

You've got your marriage certificate. That's great. Thanks for sharing that us.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Why would I have birth and death certificates for an individual that passed away nearly forty years ago? That was all handled by somebody that's dead and gone too.

You've got your marriage certificate. That's great. Thanks for sharing that us.

I'm emphasizing that having those types of documents around are good to have in general. /Shrug. It was like... $7 for a certified copy at the state office I was at.

 

[jlee]

Well, damn. NH says they have money for me.