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      Your Unclaimed Money Calls May Be a ‘Free Cash’ Scam — Here’s the Government-Backed Way to Check
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      For Your Life Marc Guberti July 23, 2026

      Your Unclaimed Money Calls May Be a ‘Free Cash’ Scam — Here’s the Government-Backed Way to Check

      When budgets are tight, people are eager for some extra cash — and a text or email about unclaimed money may sound like the remedy.

      But if you receive one of these messages, it may be from a scammer who wants to obtain a potential victim’s money and personal details. This “free cash” scam has become so prevalent that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has specifically addressed how to handle the unclaimed funds scam. Being prepared and pausing before acting on an impulse are good starting points.

      Why Unclaimed Money Scams Are Believable

      Between banking accounts, investment accounts, peer-to-peer payment payment platforms and more, it’s possible to lose track of all the financial accounts you have created. Some people created a checking account more than a decade ago that they don’t look at anymore.

      “If a business, financial institution, or government owes you money that you did not collect, it is considered unclaimed money or property,” according to USAGov.com. “You may be able to file for unclaimed money owed to you, or that was owed to a deceased relative if you are their legal heir.”

      But while unclaimed money can be real, it’s also an aspect of the financial system that scammers take advantage of. Fraudulent messages about unclaimed funds often come with deadlines. They may also come with logos and brand names that sound legitimate as they urge you to take action before time runs out. Some pose as agencies that request an upfront fee or personal information before you can access the “funds.”

      A real government agency will not use urgency in its messages. It’s a red flag anytime a message says you must pay a fee or provide information before a close deadline to receive unclaimed funds.

      The Government-Backed Way to Check for Unclaimed Money

      If you’re trying to determine whether you have unclaimed cash, go straight to the official source by visiting your state’s official unclaimed property website. You can also go to unclaimed.org/search, which is run by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA). It links to official state programs and is government-recommended. MissingMoney.com is another resource that is a NAUPA-backed multi-state search tool for participating states.

      It’s free to search through official state sites. While some legitimate agencies will do this for you, it is not necessary to pay someone to perform this search. Applying this search to every state you have lived, worked, owned property or done business can help you find all of your unclaimed funds.

      What to Do If You Get One of These Calls or Texts

      If you get one of these scams calls or texts, it’s often best to ignore it. Do not provide any sensitive information to someone who contacted you out of the blue. While some people work with agencies to find unclaimed money, it should be a relationship that you establish. If you do not know the person or agency telling you about unclaimed funds, do not engage with their text or email. You can report suspected scams to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

      Approach these types of messages with skepticism.

      We've been protecting our client's money since 1834. Learn more about our commitment to protection.

      This article was written by Marc Guberti from Money and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.

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