Does Georgia Owe You Money In 2018: How To Find Out

ATLANTA, GA — Every state has an office that holds on to unclaimed money and property, including Georgia's Department of Revenue, and some of it could belong to you. What is unclaimed property? Typically that includes past wages, savings accounts, customer refunds, accounts payable, insurance payments, shares of stock, escrow funds, royalties and contents from safe deposit boxes. Most property is reported to the department after five years of inactivity.

While the U.S. government lacks a central website to find unclaimed funds, it recommends starting the search by looking for unclaimed money through the Georgia Department of Revenue website. Its Unclaimed Property Search form allows residents to input their name and city to begin the search.

Type in your last name then your first name without using commas or semi-colons. If you find your name:

• Check the box beside your name
• Click Submit Inquiry
• Fill out Contact Information
• Then click Request A Claim Form

If you have a problem with your search, you may want to install a more current browser.
Claim forms are mailed directly to the listed owner unless the owner is deceased. If the listed owner is a company or other organization, the claim forms will be mailed to the company address to the attention of an officer or other designated employee.

For questions about unclaimed property, call Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. (excluding state holidays), at (855) 329-9863, or you can send an email to ucpmail@dor.ga.gov.

To search for unclaimed money that may be lying in a different state’s treasury, click here.

If you don’t have money lying in the state treasury, the government also suggests checking for unclaimed funds from bank failures or unclaimed deposits from credit union closures. You could also check for unclaimed or undelivered tax refunds or a refund from an FHA-insured mortgage. Finally, you can check for unclaimed back wages, pension money or life insurance funds. Click here to find out how to search for these unclaimed funds.

Property becomes lost when a company has no communication with the owner. For security reasons, most financial institutions do not forward mail. The Georgia Department of Revenue says you should:

• Contact the institutions that hold your money or property every year, especially when there is an address change or change in marital status.
• Keep accurate records and record all insurance policies, bank account numbers with bank names and addresses, types of accounts, stock certificates, and rent and utility deposits.
• Cash all checks for dividends, wages, and insurance settlements without delay.
• If you have a safe deposit box, record its number, bank name and address, and give the extra key to a trusted person.
• Prepare and file a will detailing the disposition of your assets.

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