Frequently Asked Questions

Unclaimed property is money or assets that have been turned over to the State of California after the original owner lost contact with the holder — a bank, insurance company, employer, or similar institution. Common types include forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, and utility deposits. California currently holds over $14.5 billion in unclaimed property.

Enter your name and address, and we instantly search California's entire unclaimed property database — 48.9 million records from the State Controller's Office. Our search is tuned to catch property that a basic search misses, across the information you provide. If we find matches, we prepare your forms and file your claim with the SCO on your behalf as a registered California unclaimed property investigator. You can also browse unclaimed property by city to see how much is waiting in your area before you search.

Three modes cover the ways people typically search: By Name (first + last, optional city or ZIP), Last Name + City (for when you don't know the first name), and Name + ZIP (when you have a ZIP code but not a city). Switch between modes from the pills above the search form — nothing you've typed is lost when you switch.

Use Last Name + City when you don't know a person's first name — for example, searching for a relative, a family member you've lost touch with, or somebody who goes by a shortened name you're unsure of. Enter the last name and a California city (or ZIP), and we return everyone in that city with that last name who has unclaimed property. You can still add a first name if you have one — it's optional in this mode.

Use Name + ZIP when you have the person's ZIP code but aren't sure which city name matches it — common for apartment buildings, new developments, or unincorporated areas. Enter a last name (plus optional first name) and a ZIP code, and we narrow the search to records filed with that ZIP. ZIP search is tighter than a city search, so it's ideal when you're confident on the postal code.

Nothing upfront. If we recover money for you, our fee is 10% of the amount recovered — paid only when you receive your money. If your claim is unsuccessful, you owe nothing. This fee is fully compliant with CA CCP § 1582.

We process claims for $25 and above. For amounts under $25, we direct you to claimit.ca.gov where you can file for free directly with the State Controller's Office.

Your fee agreement follows the terms of the California State Controller’s Standard Investigator Agreement. It is valid for 12 months from the date of your signature. You only pay if your claim is successful — if nothing is recovered, you owe nothing. There is no financial risk to you. If you have questions about your specific situation, contact us at clo@mymoneyca.com.

The most common types include checking and savings accounts, IRA accounts, insurance policies, stocks and securities, cashier's checks, and miscellaneous refunds. Every search result shows the property type translated from the SCO's technical codes into plain English. See the full list →

Yes. myMoneyCA is a California-registered LLC that helps residents recover unclaimed property held by the State Controller's Office. We search the official CA SCO database, prepare your forms, and file your claim with the SCO on your behalf as a registered investigator. Our 10% success-only fee is fully compliant with California law.

Typically: a government-issued photo ID, proof of your Social Security Number, and documentation connecting you to the address on the property record. For larger claims or deceased owner claims, additional documentation may be required. We guide you through exactly what's needed for your specific claim.

If the State Controller's Office denies your claim, you owe us nothing — our fee is success-only. We will notify you of the denial and explain the SCO's reasoning. If the denial can be appealed, we will help you prepare additional documentation and resubmit at no extra cost to you.

You may file directly at claimit.ca.gov for free. With myMoneyCA, we file on your behalf — smart search, forms completed correctly the first time, and end-to-end claim management as your registered SCO investigator.

After you sign the fee agreement, we typically file with the SCO within 7 days. Simple cash claims may be processed in 30–60 days. Complex claims can take up to 180 days. We keep you updated through your dashboard throughout. See the full timeline →

When your claim is approved, the State Controller's Office sends two separate checks — one to you for 90% of the recovered amount and one to myMoneyCA for our 10% fee. You never pay us directly. The state handles the split, so there is no billing, no invoicing, and no money out of your pocket.

You don't pay us directly. When your claim is approved, the State Controller's Office sends two separate checks — one to you for 90% of the recovered amount and one to myMoneyCA for our 10% fee. You never pay us out of pocket, and there is no billing or invoicing.

Don't give up. Our no-results page suggests other things to try — related names, a previous address, a maiden name, or searching as a business. Property is often filed under slightly different information than you expect.

myMoneyCA was built by Christopher Lo, Founder and CEO. Chris discovered his own unclaimed property, saw how difficult the process was, and built a better solution. Read the full story →

Good question — you should always verify. myMoneyCA is a California-registered LLC (filed March 2026, verifiable at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov). We never ask for upfront payment, credit card numbers, or bank account information. Our 10% fee is the legal cap under CA CCP § 1582 and is only charged on successful recovery. Red flags to watch for with other services: upfront fees, pressure to sign immediately, fees above 10%, no company name or address, and guaranteed dollar amounts. If you are unsure about any unclaimed property service, call the State Controller's Office at (800) 992-4647. Read more about our credentials →

You may file for free at claimit.ca.gov. The main risks of filing yourself are: missing property filed under details that don't match a basic search, submitting incomplete documentation that delays or gets your claim rejected, and not following up when the SCO requests additional information. myMoneyCA's search is tuned to catch matches a basic search misses across the information you provide, and we file your claim directly with the SCO on your behalf as your registered investigator so nothing falls through the cracks.

Yes. We publish detailed unclaimed property statistics for over 2,700 California cities. Each city page shows the total unclaimed value, number of records, average claim amount, top holders, and most common property types. Visit our city directory to browse by city or search for yours. All city data comes from the California State Controller's Office database of 49 million records.

myMoneyCA collects your documents through our secure dashboard and files them with the California State Controller's Office on your behalf as your registered unclaimed property investigator. Your information is handled under our Privacy Policy with industry-standard safeguards.