New York State Holding $12.5 Billion in Lost Funds

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli urges New Yorkers to see if any of the $12.5 billion in lost and forgotten money currently being held by his office could be theirs.

More than 30 million accounts are unclaimed in New York, some dating back to the 1940s. An interactive map created by DiNapoli’s office shows the number of outstanding accounts and monetary values by county.

A large portion of unclaimed funds derives from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance accounts and stocks. The money is turned over by financial institutions and companies to DiNapoli's office to manage after a period of dormancy, usually three years. Although the average claim paid is less than $100, the largest account currently being held by DiNapoli’s office for an individual is $1.7 million.

New Yorkers can search for lost money for free by visiting the Office of Unclaimed Funds’ website or by calling the call center toll-free at 1-800-221-9311.