South Carolina Returns Record $52 Million in Unclaimed Property: How to Check if You’re Owed Money

South Carolina returned more than $52 million in unclaimed property during its latest fiscal year, setting a record for the state’s program. State Treasurer Curtis Loftis said the money belongs to residents, businesses and organizations, and the goal is to reconnect owners with funds that may have been forgotten or never received.

You can search for money in your name, a relative’s name or a business name through the South Carolina Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Program. The search is free, and there is no fee to file a claim directly with the state.
 

What is unclaimed property?

Unclaimed property is not a new government benefit or a stimulus payment. It is money or a financial asset that belongs to an individual, business or organization but could not be delivered by the company holding it.

Common examples include forgotten checking or savings accounts, uncashed payroll checks, old refund checks, insurance proceeds, utility deposits, stocks, bonds and other financial assets. A business turns the property over to the state after it cannot reach the rightful owner under the applicable unclaimed-property rules. The Treasurer’s Office then holds it until the owner or an eligible heir makes a claim.

Unclaimed property generally does not include physical assets such as a home, vehicle or land.

Worth reading: The State By State Guide to Unclaimed Assets
 

How to search for missing money

To search, visit treasurer.sc.gov and select Unclaimed Property. Enter your name and, if helpful, your city to narrow the results.

It is worthwhile to try your current and former names, past addresses and common spelling variations. You can also search for a deceased family member if you may be the legal heir, estate representative or otherwise entitled to the property.

If a listing appears to match you, review the reported address and the company or organization that submitted the property. Then follow the state’s instructions to start a claim. You may be asked to provide identification and documents linking you to the address, account or original owner.
 

Why a free search matters

Unclaimed funds can range from a small uncashed check to a sizable old account or insurance payment. The size of any claim varies, but checking the official database costs nothing.

Avoid companies that charge upfront fees to search for property or claim it on your behalf. You can work directly through the South Carolina State Treasurer at no cost.

If you have lived or worked in more than one state, search the official unclaimed-property database in each state. You can also use MissingMoney.com, a multi-state search site endorsed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, to look for records from participating state programs.
 

A simple way to get started

Begin with your full name and city. Next, repeat the search using old addresses, a maiden name or other prior legal name. Finally, search close relatives’ names, especially if they have died or moved often.

The state program keeps property until it is claimed by the rightful owner. That means a forgotten bank balance, check or insurance payment may still be waiting—even if years have passed.

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