Unclaimed Money Lookup -
North Carolina

Free North Carolina Unclaimed Money Lookup

North Carolina Unclaimed Money -
The Ultimate Guide 2024

Are you in search of unclaimed funds or property in North Carolina but unsure where to begin? Today, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on accessing the NC database and reclaiming your property.

North Carolina NCCash Match Program

This recently launched initiative by the Department of State Treasurer (DST) aims to streamline the return of unclaimed funds to their rightful owners, entirely free of charge! Through this matching program, owners of unclaimed assets do not need to take any action to recover their funds. The North Carolina Unclaimed Funds Division will proactively research records to identify all eligible claims totaling $250 or less. Weekly notifications will be mailed to eligible claimants, with checks issued within 6 to 8 weeks.

Claims requests are processed in the order they are received, with a standard processing time of approximately 90 days. However, due to the high volume of claims, processing times may slightly exceed 90 days. Once a claim is assigned to a claims processor, they may contact claimants for additional documentation or information if needed. Claimants will receive an email notification upon claim approval.

Unclaimed Money (Property) Defined

In North Carolina, unclaimed assets encompass various forms, including utility deposits, bank account balances, unclaimed insurance policy payouts, unpaid wages, bonds, stocks, and the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes. These assets typically remain unclaimed for a period ranging from 1 to 5 years. Funds can become unclaimed when companies lose contact with their customers due to inaccurate information or incorrect addresses. North Carolina state laws mandate that these unclaimed funds are transferred or “escheated” to the Department of State Treasurer for safekeeping. The Cash database is regularly updated to include new unclaimed funds as they are received.

What is the Value of Unclaimed Property (Money) in North Carolina?

The total value of unclaimed property in North Carolina currently stands at over $1 billion. Within the unclaimed property fund, there are millions of dollars awaiting claimants to initiate the process for recovering their unclaimed property. This substantial sum encompasses a variety of assets, including goods, stocks, unclaimed cash, and more. To check if you have any unclaimed property, you can visit NCCASH.com and begin the process of reclaiming your assets.

https://abc11.com/

Required Documentation

Required Documentation for Claiming Unclaimed Property in North Carolina

When submitting documentation and claim forms for unclaimed property in North Carolina, please send them to the following address:

Unclaimed Property Division
PO Box 20431
Raleigh, NC 27619-0431

Proof of Ownership

To establish ownership when filing an unclaimed funds claim form, the following documents are acceptable:

1. Proof of your Social Security Number (SSN)

Documents that display your SSN, including:

2. Proof of the Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) assigned to your personal business

A copy of any valid document confirming your FEIN, such as:

3. Proof of Address

Copies of legal documents displaying your name and specific physical address, including:

How to Conduct the Search for Unclaimed Property in North Carolina

Searching for unclaimed property funds in North Carolina is a straightforward process. Simply provide your last name or your business name in the relevant field and your first name in the corresponding field labeled ‘First Name.’ To enhance the accuracy of your search, include your city name and zip code.

As an example, we’ve used the name Jacob Smith.

Step 1: Choose the Properties You Want to Claim

When initiating the process to claim unclaimed property in North Carolina, you have the option to select the specific properties you wish to claim. You can also conduct a new search to identify property that may be owed to you but registered under a different name, including nicknames, maiden names, or common misspellings.

Step 2: View Claimed Properties

After selecting the properties you want to claim, click on the ‘View Claimed Properties’ icon.

Step 3: Specify Your Relationship to Each Property Owner

For each property you are claiming, state your relationship to the property owner.

Step 4: Provide the Required Information

In the next step, you will be prompted to provide the necessary information, which includes:

Holder Information & Reporting

Step 1: Identify Properties

Property holders are required to classify all properties they hold during their annual financial review. Properties that owners have not shown interest in during the specified dormancy holding period are considered abandoned. You can refer to N.C.G.S § 116B-53(c) to see the holding periods corresponding to various types of property, as listed on the Business & Organization NAUPA Class Codes and Dormancy Charts.

Step 2: Try to Locate the Rightful Owners

Property holders are encouraged to make diligent efforts to locate the legal owners of the property. According to N.C.G.S. § 116B-59(b), for assets such as securities or equity valued at $25 or more and $50 or more for other property types, property holders must send a due diligence notice to the owner in writing. The notice should include the holder’s contact information and a statement that even if the property is reclaimed, all dividends, interest, gains, and income will remain in the treasurer’s custody. Notices must be sent between 60 and 120 days from the due date of the report to avoid penalties.

https://www.ncleg.net/

Step 3: Prepare Your Report

Holders can prepare their report using holder-reporting software to generate a NAUPA file in .rpt, .hrs, or .txt format (HDE format is not accepted). Alternatively, holders can input report data directly into the state’s Manual Online Reporting tool, and reporting forms are no longer required. Ensure that you select the appropriate NAUPA class codes and relationship codes for proper fund distribution.

Property Due to Other States

Unclaimed property should generally be reported to the state where the claimant’s address is located. However, specific asset types like money orders and traveler’s checks should be reported to the states where they were initially purchased. For claimants with foreign or unknown addresses, the properties are due to the U.S. state where the rightful owner is incorporated. Holders should communicate with the authorized state to confirm reporting practices before sending unclaimed property to North Carolina.

Negative Reports

Negative reports are not mandatory. If you choose to file a negative report, you can submit a $0.00 NAUPA file or manually report $0.00.

Reporting Securities

Securities require specific instructions and guidelines for reporting and remittance, detailed in Registering, Reporting, and Transfer Instructions for equities. Accurate completion of possession relationship codes and NAUPA class codes is essential to ensure property return.

Reporting Tips

To facilitate the return of property to rightful owners, accurately complete possession relationship codes and NAUPA class codes as per the state Reporting Library. Provide full name, Social Security Number (SSN), last known address, Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), date of birth, driver’s license number, state of issuance, and email address (if known) of property owners. Use Owner Type Codes such as ‘Aggregate,’ ‘Other,’ or ‘Unknown’ when required. Any applicable fees can’t be assessed unless there is an active contract or valid authorization by statute.

Step 4: Report Submission and Remitting the Funds Due

Electronic Reporting

If you have created a NAUPA file, visit ‘Upload a Report,’ provide requested data, and upload your file. You will receive a Report Summary confirming successful submission. If you submitted your NAUPA via ETM, do not upload the file to North Carolina’s state website, as HDE files are no longer accepted.

Manual Reporting

Manual reporting forms are no longer valid. Holders without electronic files should use North Carolina’s Manual Online Reporting Tool to enter required holder or owner information. Refer to the state website for instructions and a step-by-step guide.

Remit Funds Due

Holders can remit payments via Check, ACH, or Wire transfer. For check payments, make the check payable to “North Carolina Department of State Treasurer” and send it along with the Report Summary via mail to:

NC Department of State Treasurer
Unclaimed Property Division
3200 Atlantic Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27604-1668

For ACH payments, use the Holder Payment portal. Do not email or mail the ACH confirmation or Report Summary when using the state portal. EFT instructions can be found in the Reporting Library. When remitting via ACH or Wire without using the state portal, email a confirmation of report submission and EFT transfer to [email protected] with the subject “Holder Report Filing.”

Record Retention

Property holders must retain records containing required information for 10 years after filing the report, as mandated by N.C.G.S. § 116B-73(a).

Unclaimed Property Laws in North Carolina

North Carolina state law dictates that unclaimed property holders must report and remit unclaimed property on an annual basis once the dormancy period is met. Unclaimed property encompasses refunds, wages, bank accounts, utility deposits, bonds, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, or contents of safe deposit boxes that have been abandoned. Property is considered abandoned if there have been no documented transactions or contact with rightful owners during the dormancy period.

Efforts to Find Rightful Owners

Efforts to Find Rightful Owners
Under the law, property holders, including insurance companies, banks, and credit unions, must make good faith efforts to locate the property’s legal owner. If locating the owner proves unsuccessful, holders should report the last known names and addresses of property owners to the North Carolina State Treasurer. The Department of State Treasurer posts notices in newspapers, offers public awareness and outreach efforts, and seeks assistance from the General Assembly and local governmental offices to locate rightful property owners.

Unclaimed Money FAQs in North Carolina

When and How Will I Get My Money?

When you file a claim in New Hampshire, your money is available in the form of a check.
The state will send the check to your current name if it has changed since the asset was created, and it will be mailed to the address you provide.
The delivery of the check can take up to two months.
To ensure you have completed all the necessary steps, you can use the search for your claim’s status page by entering your claim number and locating your asset in the system.

How Does Property Get to the "Unclaimed" State?

Property can become “unclaimed” due to various reasons, including:

Lack of proper communication where the property owner does not update their address.
Oversight, where the owner fails to provide necessary information updates.
Mail getting lost or returned to the sender.
The owner’s failure to take action upon receiving mailed notices.
Property holders not adequately performing their due diligence in locating the rightful owner.

How Exactly Does the State Get the Property?

North Carolina state law mandates that public agencies, insurance companies, financial institutions, and businesses must surrender all unclaimed property to the state if there has been zero contact with the owners for the specified period.

Will I Pay Any Fee to Get My Funds Back?

No, claiming unclaimed property in North Carolina is a free public service provided to residents.

What Does the State Do with the Money Before It Is Claimed?

The interest earnings from the Escheat Fund, less any administrative expenses, are deposited with the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA).
The SEAA is authorized to administer post-secondary education programs of student financial assistance established under Federal or State law.
The funds are used to provide grants and low-interest loans to needy and deserving North Carolina students attending state-supported schools or institutions of higher education.

What Happens to Money That Is Never Claimed by the Owner?

There is no time limit for claiming unclaimed property, and property owners or their heirs can always claim the property.
In the case where an owner is deceased, the executor of the deceased person’s estate can claim the funds, provided they provide proper documentation.

What is an Escheat?

An escheat refers to the process of succession of all abandoned property to the state.
Traditionally, it has been associated with the properties of individuals who die without a will and without known heirs.
However, the concept has been extended to include the recovery of any property resulting from the failure of an individual legally entitled to that property to make a valid claim against the property holder within a prescribed period of time.
The terms “escheat” and “unclaimed property” can be used interchangeably.

What Is Tangible Unclaimed Property?

Tangible property includes cash or personal property physically held in a safe deposit box.
After such property has been held for at least one year, it may be sold through a bidding process.
North Carolina is transitioning from selling unclaimed tangible property through the State Surplus Property Division to a new bidding process.

Can I Have Someone Help Me Locate My Unclaimed Property at a Fee?

The search for your unclaimed property in North Carolina is a free service provided by the Department of State Treasurer.
If an unclaimed property finder professional contacts you, it is recommended to contact the state at before entering into any agreement.
All property finders are required to register with the state of North Carolina annually.
Verify their registration with the treasurer’s office and request information about the services they offer, the types of property, and their fee, which should not exceed 20% of the property’s value.

https://files.nc.gov/

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Unclaimed Money Lookup -
North Carolina

North Carolina Unclaimed Money -
The Ultimate Guide 2024

Contents

North Carolina NCCash Match Program

Unclaimed Money (Property) Defined

What is the Value of Unclaimed Property (Money) in North Carolina?