📬 The Unclaimed Money Guy Newsletter

Where smart money doesn’t leave money (lost or otherwise) on the table

Let’s dive right in…

🏦 Money Story: The Tech Skeptic

Think unclaimed money is a scam? James did—until $1,400 proved him wrong.

Most of us have a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to money. Banks bury you in fine print, companies auto-renew subscriptions you forgot about, and even your phone company can sneak in hidden fees. So it’s natural to ask: if I’ve got “unclaimed money” sitting out there, why should I believe it’s really mine?

Meet James, a 54-year-old from Ohio. A lifelong IT professional, James prides himself on spotting scams before they catch him. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” he told us.

For years, James ignored ads and mailers saying he had unclaimed funds. To him, they screamed “phishing attempt.” But after a local news segment explained that state treasurers—not banks, not private companies—hold unclaimed property, he decided to give it a closer look.

He went to the official Ohio Treasurer’s site (not a .com scam page, but an actual .gov domain) and typed in his name. There it was: a forgotten paycheck from a job he’d left back in the 90s, plus a utility deposit from an apartment he barely remembered. Together, it added up to just over $1,400.

“I couldn’t believe it,” James said. “I’d been suspicious for so long, but once I saw it was the state itself holding my money, the light bulb went on. This wasn’t a scam. It was mine.”

The process wasn’t instant—he had to upload proof of his old address and ID—but six weeks later, James deposited a state-issued check into his account.

And here’s the kicker: “I thought I’d feel silly for not claiming it sooner, but honestly, I’m glad I waited until I knew it was legit. Now I tell everyone I know—go to the state’s site, not the shady letters or emails.”

Best high-yield accounts for James to park his money, according to Bankrate

📣 My Take

Skepticism is smart. Scams are everywhere. But here’s the difference: states aren’t keeping this money to line their pockets. By law, they’re just holding it until the rightful owner shows up. That owner could be you.

Here’s a link to all 50 state unclaimed money websites

If you’re skeptical like James, here’s your filter:

• Only use your state’s official treasurer or controller website (look for .gov).

• Never pay a third-party “finder” unless you want to—most claims are 100% free.

• Double-check with multiple states if you’ve ever moved.

The government isn’t giving you money. They’re just giving back what’s yours.

🗞️ In The News

The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) reports that 1 in 7 Americans has unclaimed money waiting. States return more than $5 billion every year, yet billions more remain untouched—often because people dismiss it as “too good to be true.”

💵 This Week’s Personal Finance Hack: Skeptic-Proof Credit Card Rewards

If you don’t trust gimmicks, here’s one that actually works:

• Many no-annual-fee credit cards pay 2% cash back on everything.

• That’s not points, not gift cards, just cash straight into your account.

• Pair it with paying your balance in full, and you’re earning money on every purchase without ever paying interest.

James turned his $1,400 claim into seed money for a new high-yield savings account, then used a cash-back card for day-to-day purchases. “I want every dollar working for me,” he said.

💰 What to Do With Found Money

🏦 Spend smarter: Use cash-back credit cards for everyday expenses.
💰 Invest simply: Start with a no-fee index fund or high-yield savings.
🔒 Stay in control: Keep your money in accounts you manage—not buried in state coffers.