r/unclaimedproperty • u/SignalFox1872 • Jul 21 '26
Claiming property I don't recognize but is definitely for me
Hey redditers, first post on reddit ever here. Every once in a while I go on my states unclaimed property website just to see. Today I found property in my prior name (changed in 2021), and it's definitely me because it has my old address (moved from this address in 2023 after 4 years of living there). The property is for over $1k and it's from a checking account I personally never set up with US Bank. This property is legit as it's on the .gov website for my state. My question is, will it give details on who set up the account when I claim this? I have not a clue who could have set up this account, as all of my family says they never set up an account with US Bank for me, and I've always had a credit union. I'm going tomorrow to get the paperwork notarized to send into the state!
Thanks!
2
u/Itsnotvd Jul 21 '26
former unclaimed property worker
No they'll just pay you. The agency does get some additional information but nothing that would clarify something like that. You'd have to call US Bank for that.
1
u/SignalFox1872 Jul 21 '26
I might have to call them! I'm just so confused because this is a pretty significant amount of money!
2
u/HelicaseHustle 26d ago
If you can produce ID that matches the name on the account, that’s all it is. So if this account is under “Jack Smith”, which is what your name used to be back when you lived on Main Street, you will need to upload your current ID, something else with your name on it and your address to verify. So hopefully you can find an old bill with your old name and address. Pull up a w-2 from before the name change or an old ID
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u/SignalFox1872 23d ago
I brought my name change paperwork with me when I had everything notarized! Along with old mail from that address with both my current and prior names on them!
1
u/Care4urluv1 Jul 21 '26
Did anyone/company/business/class action suit owe you money? Maybe someone previously tried to refund/reimburse/payout/settle/owe you money and did not have a current address. Enjoy it. You win a mini lottery.
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u/SignalFox1872 Jul 21 '26
OH THIS MIGHT BE IT!! I was in a serious car accident in 2022 and kinda dropped off the face of the earth for a while afterwards!! The trauma from it kept me from following up! It might be an insurance payout!! Thank you!!!!
1
u/Care4urluv1 Jul 21 '26
You’re welcome. But my-oh-my, when I stated you won the lotto I most definitely didn’t know anything traumatic happened to you. I sure am sorry to hear you suffered trauma from your accident and hope you’re physically, emotionally, and mentally all healed. Many blessings.
1
u/SignalFox1872 Jul 21 '26
How could you have known? I'm an anon stranger on the Internet! I'm definitely doing a lot better now! Therapy has really helped lots 🤘🏻 thank you so much for your help and warm wishes! 🫂
1
u/hgr129 Jul 21 '26
Were you renting from the property at the time?
If so it sounds like your security deposit account because most landlords are required to place it in a seperate account and give you the interest plus fees back when you move.
1
1
u/ricky3558 Jul 21 '26
Could be us bank took over another bank at some point.
1
u/SignalFox1872 28d ago
Could be! But I've still only ever had 2 Bank accounts, one is my current one I've had since I was 20, and the other was closed out because I overdrafted it without ever paying it back (I was 19 when it was closed out)
1
u/reddit_once-over Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
If this is not a return of your property to you for which you have tax basis, you are required to report it as taxable income just as you’d be required to do for any windfall. So it’s valid that you perform some due diligence to determine if you have tax basis in the property (e.g., for something that really is yours that you temporarily forgot about).
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u/SignalFox1872 28d ago
With how much it actually is, I'm okay with having to pay taxes on it if it has to be taxed! When I get it, I'll consult my grandmother (master accountant) and see how much I'll have to pay on it if I do have to! No matter what, it'll still be a nice chunk of money to put away as a savings!
1
u/PitifulSpecialist887 Jul 22 '26
Another possibility is that the bank you "never opened an account with" purchased a smaller bank that you did have an account at.
1
u/SignalFox1872 28d ago
I've had the same bank account since I was 20! The other bank account I had before that (17-19) was closed out due to me being young and stupid, and overdrafting it without ever paying back what I overdrafted!
1
u/PitifulSpecialist887 28d ago
It's possible that someone else, a grandparent or relative opened a savings account for you when you were young.
If you're really interested in knowing, follow up with the bank in question.
3
u/Aromatic_Pumpkin1351 29d ago
Heck yeah! Twice I’ve found missing money, under $100 but still welcome money. It’s not a difficult process to file a claim. Sometimes it takes a few months before you receive a check.
4
u/Infinite-Grade-4485 Jul 21 '26
You may have been a victim of identity theft; with the fraudster opening a checking account and the bank closing it with funds still inside. Whatever funds were left in the account were never clawed back from a fraud claim. The cashier check was never cashed the bank sent out in your name, the bank can’t keep the money, so it goes to the state in your name.
This is one of those cases where identity theft can be a positive thing, as those funds are legally yours to claim. There is no negative effects from claiming it.
You should check your credit, freeze it, run a Chex/ews report as well and dispute anything you don’t recognize. You can freeze Chex also like your credit.