If the Federal government cannot locate people it is holding money for, that money is turned over to the state where the person is last known to have lived. After a specific period of time has elapsed, the abandoned property is turned over to the Office of Unclaimed Funds of the New York State Comptroller's Office. These funds are put to use for the benefit of citizens of New York, but never become the property of the State. No Charges are made by the state for searching the records, checking the proof submitted or returning the abandoned property. The Supplement is published twice a year and is available in most libraries as well as offices of town and county clerks.
Every state has their own unclaimed assets and property office.
If you have moved across state lines, you may want to check each state's office. PAbandoned Property Locating Services send mailings to people whose names appear on a list of abandoned property and charge a fee, often in advance, in exchange for the name and code number of organizations which previously held the property now held by the New York State Comptroller. Consumers have complained to the Better Business Bureau that they have received letters from Abandoned Property Locating Services that make exaggerated and, in some instances, misleading claims. The New York State Comptroller's office suggests that people who have been contacted by a finder should write directly to the Office of Unclaimed Funds. The Office of Unclaimed Funds will release abandoned property only to entitled persons, persons who can present an approved power of attorney from a claimant, legal heirs or to attorneys duly hired by the claimant to handle affairs.