Press Releases

SACRAMENTO—State Controller Betty T. Yee today announced the State of California has more than 48 million fun-sized, full-sized, and king-sized unclaimed properties worth a total of $9.3 billion.

“The average payout to a property owner was $534 last fiscal year,” said Controller Yee. “Many properties can be claimed electronically through a secure online form.”

People who find property on the State Controller’s website can submit claims for their long-lost money or valuables at any time at www.claimit.ca.gov or by calling (800) 992-4647.

In September, approximately 32,000 people were reunited with about $34 million. Here is a snapshot of the claims paid last month to people in the following eight cities:

• 1,524 properties valued at $1.5 million in Los Angeles;
• 483 properties valued at $515,546 in Fresno;
• 1,616 properties valued at $347,537 in Sacramento;
• 438 properties valued at $258,525 in Bakersfield;
• 91 properties valued at $30,106 in Chico;
• 75 properties valued at $24,478 in Redding;
• 21 properties valued at $22,042 in Monterey; and
• 23 properties valued at $12,610 in Barstow.

Anyone can download the unclaimed property database for free and see if people in their community or organization have items being safeguarded by the state.

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, 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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