New York State Holds Billions in Unclaimed Funds: Could Yours Be Here?

Buffalo, N.Y. — New York State currently holds billions of dollars in unclaimed funds, potentially including money that belongs to you. As of now, the New York State Comptroller reports that it has returned $517,122,310 in unclaimed funds to individuals who have filed claims in 2025 alone.

Unclaimed funds arise from a variety of sources. These include inactive bank accounts, uncollected insurance policies, unused gift cards, valuables from safe deposit boxes, amounts due for undelivered goods or services, abandoned stocks, and uncashed checks. When businesses report these unclaimed assets, the Comptroller’s office retains the funds until claimed by their rightful owners.

Record Returns in Recent Years

In a notable trend, New York State returned a record $633 million in unclaimed funds during 2024, marking a 25% increase over the previous year. This growth reflects ongoing efforts to reunite individuals with their lost assets.

Individuals interested in discovering whether they have unclaimed funds can easily do so by visiting the New York State Comptroller’s Unclaimed Funds website. Users can search for their names in the state’s database. If a match is found, they can follow the provided instructions to submit a claim. Additionally, the Comptroller’s office updates its website with information on outreach events designed to raise awareness about unclaimed funds.

The existence of these unclaimed assets highlights the importance of maintaining awareness of financial accounts and policies. As many people may not realize they have unclaimed funds waiting for them, the state encourages residents to take action and check their eligibility.

In summary, the billions in unclaimed funds held by New York State present an opportunity for individuals to reclaim their rightful assets. With a straightforward process in place for filing claims, it is advisable for residents to investigate their potential entitlements.