Unclaimed Money in Maryland

Understanding Maryland’s Unclaimed Property Law

In Maryland, unclaimed property refers to a variety of assets or accounts that have had no activity generated or contact made by the owner for a statutory period, thus considered ‘abandoned’. This not only encompasses financial assets but also tangible items that have seemingly been forgotten. Maryland law recognizes the following categories of unclaimed property:

1. Financial accounts: This includes savings and checking accounts, uncashed checks such as payroll checks, and certificates of deposit.

2. Securities: Stocks, bonds, and dividends that have not been claimed or accessed within the stipulated time.

3. Insurance proceeds: Unclaimed amounts due under the terms of insurance policies, such as life insurance payouts.

4. Escrow accounts: Funds held in escrow by a third party for the purpose of a transaction that have been forgotten or left behind.

5. Safe deposit box contents: Items of value such as jewelry, documents, or collectibles stored in a bank’s safe deposit box that have not been attended to by the owner.

6. Utility deposits and refunds: Deposits or refunds owed to individuals from utility companies that have not been claimed.

7. Trusts and estates: Funds associated with trusts or estates that fail to reach their rightful recipients.

8. Customer overpayments: Situations where customers have paid more than the cost of a service or product and the excess has been refunded but not claimed.


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Initiating a claim for unclaimed money

Searching your unclaimed property through MoneyBot5000

Initiating a claim for unclaimed money is straightforward in Maryland with the help of tools like MoneyBot5000 which make it easy to try to track and claim your assets. Follow the steps below to get started.

  1. Go to the MoneyBot5000 website.
  2. Enter your details like name and address in the search bar.
  3. Navigate through the properties displayed in the search results to find what belongs to you.
  4. Select claim to begin the process of initiating a claim for your unclaimed property through the state site.

Registering for a OneStop account

To initiate a claim for unclaimed money in Maryland, you’ll first need to create a OneStop account, which provides access to the state’s Unclaimed Property Claim Form. Follow the simple steps below to set up your account:

1. Visit the official Maryland OneStop website.

2. Locate and click on the “Register” or “Sign Up” link.

3. Enter your personal information, including your name and email address, and create a password.

4. Be sure to choose a strong password that includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols for better security.

5. Validate your email address by clicking on a confirmation link sent to your email.

6. Complete any additional identity verification steps required by the OneStop system.

7. Once your account is created and confirmed, you can log in to access the Unclaimed Property Claim Form and other services.

Keep your login credentials in a safe place for future reference, and ensure that your account information, especially your contact details, are kept up-to-date to receive important notifications regarding your claim.

Filing an unclaimed property claim in Maryland has been streamlined thanks to the online process. To initiate an online claim, follow these steps and take note of common pitfalls to avoid:

Filling out the unclaimed property claim form

Access the claim form: Once logged in, find the Unclaimed Property Claim Form and carefully read the instructions provided.

Enter the required information: Complete all the fields on the form with accurate and current details. This usually includes your name, address, date of birth, and social security number. Inconsistencies in the information provided could delay the processing of your claim.

Affidavit section: Pay special attention to Part D – the Affidavit. By signing this, you certify under penalty of perjury that the information you have provided is true and correct.

Claim number: Ensure you include the appropriate Claim Number, which you should have obtained from the online unclaimed property search.

Necessary documentation for claims

When you’re ready to reclaim your lost or forgotten assets in Maryland, it’s essential to prove both your identity and your right to the unclaimed property. The documentation you provide is key to verifying your claim and ensuring that the funds are returned to their rightful owner.

Here’s a checklist of the documentation you may need, with an explanation of why each is important:

1. Proof of identity: This confirms you are who you claim to be and may include any of the following:

  1. Valid Driver’s License or State ID
  2. Passport
  3. Social Security Card
  4. Birth Certificate
  5. Employee ID Card
  6. Voter Registration Card

2. Proof of relationship to the original owner: If you’re claiming on behalf of someone else, you might need to prove your connection to them, often with a document like a marriage certificate or a court order designating you as a representative or heir.

3. Proof of ownership: These documents link you to the unclaimed money or property and might include:

  1. Bank Statements
  2. Pay Stubs
  3. Insurance Policies
  4. Stock Certificates
  5. Original Deposit Slips
  6. Safe Deposit Box Leases

The submission and review process

Online submission

Submitting your claim for unclaimed property in Maryland is a seamless process thanks to the Comptroller’s online submission system.

The benefits of online submission are clear: it is fast, secure, and environmentally friendly, reducing the need for paper. Furthermore, the system is available 24/7, enabling you to submit a claim at your convenience. After submitting, you will receive a confirmation email or notification, providing peace of mind that your claim is in process. In addition, you’ll be able to monitor the status of your claim through your OneStop account, allowing you to stay updated on its progress.

Monitoring claim status

Monitoring the progression of your claim is quite straightforward and can be done through the Maryland Comptroller’s office.

1. Visit the Maryland Comptroller’s website dedicated to unclaimed property.

2. Navigate to the claim status section, where you’ll generally need to log in using your previously created OneStop account credentials.

3. Once logged in, find the dashboard or section that lists your active claim(s). You should be able to view the current status of each claim. The statuses you may see include “Received,” “In Review,” “Pending Documentation,” “Approved,” or “Paid.”

If you experience any difficulty accessing your claim status online or if you have filed a paper claim, you can always contact the Maryland Unclaimed Property Division by phone for assistance:

  1. For Maryland residents: 410-767-1700
  2. Toll-Free (outside Maryland): 800-782-7383

When inquiring over the phone, be prepared to provide your claim number and/or personal details for identification purposes.

Assistance with high-value or complex claims

The Maryland Unclaimed Property Division tries its best to make all forms and instructions accessible to anyone, but there may be situations where the claim process may seem convoluted, especially when dealing with high-value or more complex claims. In these instances, you may seek assistance from professionals such as attorneys specializing in probate or financial advisors. These experts may be better equipped to complete the claim process more efficiently, especially when navigating situations involving large estates or corporate properties.

However, most claimants can complete the process successfully on their own. Initial consultation with the Maryland Unclaimed Property Division’s customer service may be all the help needed. They can guide you on the next steps and provide advice on the necessary documentation.

Fraudulent requests

Beware of scenarios where you are contacted by individuals or entities purporting to be from the state or another official body, asserting that you have unclaimed money. If they then ask for upfront payment or personal information to process the claim, these are likely fraudulent attempts. The Maryland Unclaimed Property Division will never ask for a fee to process a claim, and all of their communications will be clearly recognizable as originating from a government office, not a personal email or phone number.

If you are unsure about the validity of any communication you receive, contact the Unclaimed Property Division directly using the official contact information provided on the Comptroller’s website. They can confirm if the communication is legitimate and, if fraudulent, will advise you on the appropriate next steps to report the incident.

Regular checks for unclaimed property

Life gets busy, and amid the hustle and bustle, assets can go unnoticed or forgotten. However, establishing a routine of performing regular searches for unclaimed money can lead to pleasant surprises. As entities continue to turn over unclaimed funds to the state, the chances of discovering assets in your name remain.

In addition to personal checks, try searching for unclaimed property in the names of deceased relatives. If you are the legal heir or executor of an estate, you could uncover forgotten assets that could be part of your inheritance.

Thanks to MoneyBot5000, Maryland’s straightforward online search tools, checking for unclaimed property has never been easier. Just a few minutes spent perusing official databases can potentially unearth funds you were previously unaware of. Integrating these periodic checks into your financial review process—be it monthly, quarterly, or annually—can help ensure that all your assets, known and unknown, remain within your reach.

Need to learn more about finding unclaimed money in a neighboring state? See our guides for Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Washington, and Delaware!

Maryland Department of Revenue - Unclaimed Property Division

Unclaimed money

Address

Comptroller of Maryland, 301 W. Preston Street, Baltimore MD 21201-2385

Unclaimed money

Phone Number

410-767-1700

Unclaimed money

Office Hours

8:30AM-4:30PM., Mon-Fri by appointment only

Unclaimed money

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Looking for Unclaimed Money?

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