Are you aware that you might have money waiting for you in Washington State? It’s more common than you think! In fact, statistics suggest there’s a 1 in 10 chance that you could be among the individuals with unclaimed funds. Everyone could use a bit of unexpected money, and this might be your lucky day.
Across Washington, a substantial amount of money is held in the state’s Unclaimed Property program, waiting to be reunited with its rightful owners. This could be from various sources such as uncashed checks, security deposits from utilities, or dormant bank accounts that you might have forgotten about.
To bring awareness to this often-overlooked financial opportunity, February 1st marks National Unclaimed Property Day. This annual event, championed by organizations like the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA), aims to encourage everyone to check if they have unclaimed funds. The Washington State Department of Revenue actively participates in this initiative, striving to return every dollar to its rightful owner.
The Washington Unclaimed Property program is responsible for safeguarding over $1.4 billion in unclaimed assets. In the previous year alone, the program successfully returned a significant $74 million to over 175,000 individuals, businesses, and organizations. These funds originate from banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and other entities that, after a period of inactivity, transfer these assets to the state. The state then acts as a custodian, holding these “abandoned” properties indefinitely until they are claimed.
“It’s surprising how many people are unaware that they could have sums ranging from a modest $100 to upwards of several thousand dollars sitting in unclaimed property,” emphasizes Vikki Smith, Director of Revenue. “Especially given the current economic climate, we understand that every dollar is significant. This is rightfully your money, and we are dedicated to facilitating its return to you.”
Ready to see if you have unclaimed money in Washington? The process is straightforward. Simply visit the official Washington unclaimed property website: claimyourcash.org. Enter your name or business name to initiate a search. If your name matches with any records, the site will guide you through the claims process.
For those who have lived or worked in other states, it’s also worth checking for unclaimed property elsewhere. You can easily extend your search to other states by visiting Unclaimed.org/search.
Don’t let your money remain unclaimed. Take a few minutes today to search for Washington Unclaimed Money and you might just find a financial windfall waiting for you!
