Press Releases

SACRAMENTO — State Controller Betty T. Yee today shared some good tidings – the State of California is safeguarding more than 48 million properties worth a total of $9.3 billion ready to be found and claimed through her online database.

“In November, more than 24,000 people received their properties worth over $23 million,” said Controller Yee. “I hope you will take a moment to search for lost cash and heirlooms that my team may be holding in your name.”

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.

Here is a snapshot of the unclaimed property claims paid last month to people in the following 12 cities:

• 471 properties valued at $994,418 in Oakland
• 913 properties valued at $732,165 in San Diego
• 286 properties valued at $152,295 in Fresno
• 51 properties valued at $116,497 in Riverside
• 179 properties valued at $77,501 in Stockton
• 471 properties valued at $77,076 in Bakersfield
• 41 properties valued at $69,734 in Palm Springs
• 104 properties valued at $65,579 in Santa Ana
• 54 properties valued at $35,179 in Petaluma
• 61 properties valued at $28,022 in Redding
• 59 properties valued at $26,738 in Santa Maria
• 71 properties valued at $13,131 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.

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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