Does The District Owe You Money? Find Out Here

WASHINGTON, DC — The District's office of the chief financial officer is holding on to unclaimed money, and some of it could be yours. What is unclaimed property? Typically that includes money left in bank accounts, stocks, bonds, dividends, utility deposits, insurance proceeds, tangible property and more.

Unclaimed property consists of money and other personal assets that are considered lost or abandoned when an owner cannot be located after a specified period of time, the office says on its website. These assets can include checking accounts, certificates of deposit, customer deposits and over-payments, gift certificates, paid-up life insurance policies, unpaid wages, commissions, uncashed checks, death benefits, dividends, insurance payments, money orders, refunds, savings accounts, stocks, and proceeds of safe deposit box auctions.

After the property holders attempt to locate the owners, the Office of Finance and Treasury's Unclaimed Property Unit collects the assets. It then attempts to find residents to help them claim the assets held in custody for them by the District.

Officials try to locate the owners through newspaper advertising, news media campaigns, and a free online search service. The owners or their legitimate heirs can claim the funds at any time; there is no statute of limitations.

DC authorities urge residents to search for money or other items through the MissingMoney website, which is free to use, and approved by many government agencies.

The District of Columbia does not charge a fee for returning property. If you believe you have property, call Unclaimed Property at 202-442-8181 or review the website. This process may save you fees that a third-party vendor may charge.

The Unclaimed Property Unit can be reached by phone at (202) 442-8181 or via email.

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