Controller Cohen Announces Mailing of Notices to Californians Who May Be Owed Unclaimed Property

SACRAMENTO - California State Controller Malia M. Cohen today announced that the State Controller's Office (SCO) is mailing letters to approximately 130,000 Californians who may be owed money through the State's Unclaimed Property Program, as part of an ongoing effort to proactively reunite residents with lost or forgotten funds.

The letters are being sent to individuals identified through a partnership between the State Controller's Office and the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). By securely matching unclaimed property records with existing state tax records, the SCO can more efficiently identify rightful owners and notify them of funds that may belong to them.

Recipients do not need to search the unclaimed property database or submit a traditional claim. Instead, eligible individuals can use a unique claim code included in the letter to verify their information and complete a streamlined online process.

"Government works best when it delivers results for people, and returning unclaimed property is one of the most direct ways we can do that," said Controller Cohen. "These funds belong to Californians, not the state. By using technology and available data, we are making it easier, faster, and more convenient for people to recover money that is rightfully theirs. If you receive one of these letters, we want you to know it is legitimate, understand why you received it, and have a simple and secure path to claim your funds."

California's Unclaimed Property Program safeguards lost or forgotten financial assets that have been turned over to the State after a period of inactivity. These assets can include dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, stocks, dividends, and other financial property. The State holds these funds indefinitely until they are claimed by their rightful owners or heirs.

This latest outreach effort builds on the success of the Cohen Administration's first proactive payment initiative launched in December 2025. During that initial effort, the SCO mailed more than 100,000 letters to Californians and helped reunite property owners with more than $30.4 million in unclaimed property.

The second round of outreach is another step in Controller Cohen's broader effort to modernize California's Unclaimed Property Program. Since taking office, Controller Cohen has prioritized making the program easier, faster, and more convenient for Californians by transitioning to a fully digital claims process, expanding online services, enhancing customer support, and proactively connecting property owners with money that belongs to them.

What Californians Should Know
Individuals who receive a letter from the State Controller's Office should:

• Review the notice carefully and verify the information listed.
• Visit the unique URL on the letter and enter the claim code included in the letter.
• Follow the instructions to confirm ownership and receive a check in about two weeks.
• Contact the State Controller's Office if they believe the notice was received in error or have questions about the claim.

We want to remind Californians that official correspondence regarding this program will clearly identify the California State Controller's Office and provide instructions directing recipients to ClaimIt.ca.gov . Californians should be cautious of unsolicited requests for personal or financial information and verify communications through official State Controller's Office channels. Californians should also know that they never have to pay a fee to claim property directly from the State Controller's Office.

Need Assistance?
Recipients with questions about a notice may contact the State Controller's Office Unclaimed Property Division Contact Center at:
1-800-992-4647 (within the United States)
916-323-2827 (outside the United States)

Californians can also search for additional unclaimed property and learn more at ClaimIt.ca.gov .

About California's Unclaimed Property Program
The California State Controller's Office safeguards approximately $15 billion in unclaimed property belonging to millions of individuals, businesses, and government entities. The Controller's Office is committed to increasing transparency, improving customer service, modernizing operations, and returning more money to Californians than ever before.