SACRAMENTO — Before travelers set their “out of office” messages for summer vacation, State Controller Betty T. Yee is reminding them to search her unclaimed property database for lost and forgotten funds. Forty-eight million properties worth a total of $9.3 billion could help fund those camping trips or chips and guacamole after claiming at claimit.ca.gov.
“Before you sit back and unwind this summer, take a moment to see if the state is protecting any property in your name,” said Controller Yee. “Along with your sunscreen and shades, bring your smartphone to the pool and search claimit.ca.gov.”
In May, more than 30,000 people received their properties worth about $26.6 million. Here is a snapshot of the unclaimed property claims paid last month to people in 11 cities:
- 131 properties valued at $1,313,959 in Fremont
- 1,083 properties valued at $364,569 in Bakersfield
- 277 properties valued at $244,888 in Fresno
- 121 properties valued at $135,698 in Escondido
- 157 properties valued at $105,111 in Roseville
- 116 properties valued at $92,292 in Simi Valley
- 45 properties valued at $86,038 in Hollister
- 246 properties valued at $52,357 in Riverside
- 117 properties valued at $24,673 in Fullerton
- 106 properties valued at $20,451 in Visalia
- 99 properties valued at $11,963 in Chico
People who find property on the State Controller’s website can submit claims at claimit.ca.gov or by calling (800) 992-4647. Anyone can download the unclaimed property database for free and see if people in their community or organization have items safeguarded by the state.
California’s unclaimed property law protects consumers by requiring banks, insurance companies, and other businesses to transfer property to the State Controller after a period of no activity (generally three years). Savings or checking accounts, insurance benefits, uncashed checks, wages, stocks, bonds, and safe deposit box contents are common types of unclaimed property.
As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Yee is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The Controller has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds. She is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation’s two largest public pension funds. Elected in 2014 and reelected in 2018, Controller Yee is the tenth woman elected to a statewide office in California’s history. Follow the Controller on Twitter at @CAController and on Facebook at California State Controller’s Office.
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