Unclaimed Money in Indiana
Unclaimed money refers to financial assets that have been lost or forgotten, only to become dormant due to a lack of activity or contact between the holder (such as a bank, company, or other financial institution) and the rightful owner over a certain period, typically three to five years. These assets can originate from a wide array of sources, such as:
- Bank accounts, both savings or checking, that have remained idle without transactions or noticeable account holder actions.
- Wages that have been earned but not collected, for example, final paychecks not claimed by employees.
- Dividends or stock earnings that have not been cashed and are lingering with the distributing corporation.
- Insurance payouts where beneficiaries may be unaware of the policy or have not claimed their due funds.
- Inheritances that have not been claimed due to beneficiaries being hard to locate or unaware of their entitlement.
In Indiana, this unclaimed money remains protected under state regulations until the rightful owner or their heirs come forward to claim it. The Indiana Attorney General’s office, through the Unclaimed Property Division, is entrusted with the role of collecting, safeguarding, and eventually distributing these unclaimed assets back to the rightful owners or their descendants. The division also facilitates a searchable database to help individuals and businesses identify and retrieve their unclaimed funds.
Looking for Unclaimed
Check to see how you can claim lost cash and property.
Looking for Unclaimed
Check to see how you can claim lost cash and property.
How to search for unclaimed property in Indiana
Discovering if you have unclaimed property in Indiana is a straightforward process that you can complete with a few easy steps.
1. Visit MoneyBot5000
Go to MoneyBot5000 and sign up or log in to your account.
2. Initiate a search
On the landing page, look for a search bar.
3. Enter your information
You will be prompted to enter details that will help identify any unclaimed property under your name. At a minimum, you will need to enter your last name. For more refined results, consider also entering your first name, middle initial, and city or zip code if these options are available.
4. Conduct the search
After entering your information, click on the ‘Search’ button or its equivalent. The system will process your query and display any potential matches for unclaimed property that may belong to you.
5. Review the search results
Examine the list of unclaimed properties that appear. Look for any items that match your information and may potentially belong to you.
Tips for conducting an effective search
While searching for unclaimed money in Indiana, conducting a thorough and effective search is essential to help ensure that no potential funds are missed. To try to enhance your search outcomes, the following strategies can be employed:
- Use all name variations: Include every possible variation of your name under which your unclaimed money might be listed. This includes full legal name, maiden names, nicknames, and common misspellings. For example, if your name is Elizabeth, also search under “Beth,” “Liz,” and “Eliza.”
- Include previous addresses: Funds may be listed under old addresses, especially if you haven’t lived at your current residence for long. Search for funds using any addresses where you or your family have resided in the past.
- Extend the search to family members: If you have deceased relatives, you might be entitled to claim funds on their behalf. Include the names of any deceased family members, particularly if you are the direct heir or executor of their estate.
- Try a Social Security Number search: When possible, use your Social Security number (SSN) in searches as a way to identify accounts or policies that may have been forgotten but are connected to your SSN.
- Search business names: if you own or have owned a business, do not forget to search for unclaimed money under the business’s name
Claiming unclaimed money in Indiana can be a straightforward process. If you’ve identified potential unclaimed funds in your name, here are the steps you’ll need to follow to lay claim to them:
The claiming process
Verification of unclaimed property: Before you begin, ensure that the unclaimed money listed corresponds to your information. Verify the details provided, such as names, last known addresses, and the amounts listed.
Claim initiation: Once you’ve verified that the property is indeed related to you, initiate a claim. This can typically be done directly on the Indiana Unclaimed Property website through their claim process.
Gathering documentation: Prepare the necessary documentation to prove your identity and your claim to the property. At a minimum, this will include a copy of your photo ID (such as a driver’s license) and documentation to prove your Social Security number (like a Social Security card or W-2 form). If the claim pertains to an inheritance, dividend payouts, or similar circumstances, additional documents such as death certificates, probate court documents, or proof of previous addresses may be required.
Filling out a claim form: Complete the required claim form with accurate and current information. Double-check for any errors that could delay the processing of your claim.
Claim submission: Submit your claim along with all required documents. This can be done online or through mail.
Business obligations for unclaimed property
In the state of Indiana, businesses, often referred to as “holders” in the context of unclaimed property, must conduct due diligence to locate the rightful owners of any unclaimed property they hold. If the property remains unclaimed after efforts to reach the owner, businesses are required to report and remit the property to the Indiana Attorney General’s Unclaimed Property Division according to the dormancy period specified by state law. This period varies depending on the type of property but generally ranges from one to five years.Statutes of limitations
In Indiana, there is good news for potential claimants: essentially, there is no statute of limitations on most unclaimed money. Funds such as unclaimed wages, bank accounts, and other property types are held in perpetuity until claimed. However, in the case of tangible property like safe deposit box contents, the state may eventually sell these items at public auction. Nevertheless, even if the physical item is sold, the proceeds from the sale remain available to be claimed.Despite this generous timeframe, it’s in your best interest to claim any property you’re entitled to as soon as possible. Delaying may make it more difficult to claim your funds, as records may become harder to trace or substantiate over an extended period.
How to contact the Unclaimed Property Division for help
Indiana Department of Revenue - Unclaimed Property Division
Address
Office of the Indiana Attorney General, Unclaimed Property Division, PO Box 2504, Greenwood IN 46142
Phone Number
866-462-5246
Office Hours
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday
If you’re navigating the process of searching for or claiming unclaimed property in Indiana and require assistance, there are several methods you can use to get in touch with the Unclaimed Property Division.
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Phone inquiry: If you prefer speaking to someone directly, you can call the Unclaimed Property Division. This method allows you to ask questions in real time and receive immediate feedback.
Customer service representatives are available to answer your calls during regular business hours. Make sure to have any relevant information on hand, such as your claim number if you have one, for a quicker and more efficient service.
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Email correspondence: For those who prefer digital communication or require documentation of their inquiries, sending an email can be a practical choice. You can reach out to the Unclaimed Property Division with your questions or concerns at the following email address:
Email: [email protected]
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Looking for Unclaimed Money?
Check to see how you can claim lost cash and property.