Lost Money in Virginia? Here’s How to Track Down and Claim Your Cash
Did you know that Virginia has millions of dollars in unclaimed property just sitting there, waiting to be claimed?
In fact, the state collected a massive amount in 2024 alone, thanks in part to higher interest rates.
Read: The State By State Guide to Unclaimed Assets
This isn’t just loose change—it could be your forgotten money, and it’s easier than you think to claim it.
Where Does All This Money Come From?
Unclaimed property comes from things like old bank accounts, uncashed checks, life insurance payouts, and even forgotten stock dividends.
When businesses can’t track down the rightful owners, they send the money to the state, where it waits.
According to Virginia’s State Treasurer David Richardson, this year has been especially big for unclaimed funds, with millions rolling in.
If you’re curious whether some of that money might have your name on it, check out the Virginia Department of the Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program.
How to Check If You’re Owed Money
Ready for the good news? It’s super easy to see if you’re owed any unclaimed cash. Here’s what you do:
- Head over to the Virginia Unclaimed Property Database.
- Type in your name (or your business, if you’re a business owner).
- Follow the steps to confirm your identity and submit a claim if you find anything.
This process is quick and free—no need to pay a service or hire someone to do it for you.
If you’ve moved or lived in other states, don’t forget to search nationwide, too!
Websites like MissingMoney.com and USA.gov’s Unclaimed Money page can help you search in multiple states at once.
What Happens If You Don’t Claim It?
So, what does the state do with all this unclaimed money if nobody claims it? Well, it doesn’t just sit there forever.
The funds are used to support things like public services and state programs, which is great, but it’s still your money.
Even if it’s been years, you can still claim it anytime.
Simple Tips to Keep Track of Your Assets
If you don’t want your money to end up in the state’s hands in the future, here are a few easy ways to stay on top of it:
- Keep your contact info up to date with banks, employers, and other institutions.
- Check in on old accounts (like savings accounts or retirement plans) every once in a while.
- Use free tools like Mint or Personal Capital to keep an eye on all your financial accounts in one place.
Don’t Let Your Money Slip Away
Unclaimed property is a win-win for Virginia—it funds important services and programs, but it’s also there for you to claim whenever you’re ready.
So, why not take a few minutes to see if there’s some money waiting for you? It’s worth a quick search, and who knows? You might just get a pleasant surprise!
Previous article: Did You Know? $218 Million in Unclaimed Funds are Up for Grabs in BC!
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