Press Releases

SACRAMENTO—State Controller Betty T. Yee today reminded Californians you do not need to go door to door in search of treats. Your surprise may be just a few clicks away. No trick: California has more than 70.4 million unclaimed properties worth a total of $11.9 billion waiting to be claimed this Halloween.

“Nearly one in three visitors to our website finds property in their name, the average payout was $433 last year,” said Controller Yee, California’s chief fiscal officer. “It is well worth the few minutes it takes to check if we are safeguarding any property for you.”

California’s Unclaimed Property Program is a consumer protection program in existence since 1959. Designed to keep businesses and other entities from keeping properties belonging to a customer with whom they have lost contact. Common types of unclaimed property include bank accounts, wages, stocks, bonds, uncashed checks, insurance benefits, and safe deposit box contents.

People who find property at www.claimit.ca.gov can submit claims for their long-lost money or valuables online at any time, or call (800) 992-4647 for assistance Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. PT, excluding holidays.
In September, the State Controller’s Office (SCO) reunited approximately 22,000 people with about $41 million. Here is a snapshot of claims paid last month:

• 2,424 properties valued at $2.7 million in Los Angeles;
• 471 properties valued at $368,656 in Fresno;
• 2,647 properties valued at $956,379 in Sacramento;
• 728 properties valued at $170,996 in Bakersfield;
• 129 properties valued at $75,218 in Chico;
• 122 properties valued at $183,986 in Redding;
• 49 properties valued at $60,648 in Monterey; and
• 12 properties valued at $3,777 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 SCO.

If your business or organization needs help ensuring you understand and meet reporting obligations under California’s unclaimed property law, please take advantage of the Reporting Resources available to you through SCO. 

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.