Find Concord Unclaimed Funds
Concord residents can search for unclaimed money held by the city, Contra Costa County, and the state. The City of Concord maintains funds from uncashed checks for permits, refunds, and other payments. Contra Costa County holds money from estates and tax sales. California's State Controller keeps over $11 billion statewide from old bank accounts, forgotten paychecks, and insurance proceeds. All three places offer free searches and no deadlines to claim. Start with the state database since it has the most records. Then check the county and city sources to see if you have funds waiting in Concord or from when you lived here.
Concord Quick Facts
California State Controller Property Database
Most unclaimed money in Concord shows up with the state. Banks, employers, and utilities send forgotten funds to Sacramento every year. Search at ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex using your name or old Concord addresses. The database lists the property type and approximate value. You may find money from accounts you forgot about years ago.
Common items include old checking or savings accounts. When you switch banks and leave a small balance, it sits for three years. Then the bank reports it to the state under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1513. Paychecks become unclaimed after one year if you move without updating your employer. Insurance proceeds and stock dividends also end up with the state when companies cannot locate owners.
Once you find a match, go to claimit.ca.gov to file a claim. Simple claims take 30 to 60 days to process. Complex claims with heirs or multiple owners can take up to 180 days. The state never charges a fee. Call (800) 992-4647 if you need help with your claim while in Concord.
The state holds your money forever. No deadline exists to claim property once it reaches the State Controller's Office. This differs from many states where unclaimed funds can be seized or transferred after a set period. In California, your money waits until you claim it.
Contra Costa County Unclaimed Property
Concord is in Contra Costa County, which operates its own unclaimed funds programs. The county Treasurer-Tax Collector manages an Unclaimed Deposit Trust Fund with over $133,000 available. This comes from uncashed county warrants, tax refunds, and estates of deceased persons with unknown heirs.
The county publishes lists of unclaimed property at contracosta.ca.gov/697/Unclaimed-Property where you can see names and amounts. Items over $50 get published annually. Smaller amounts still sit in the trust fund but may not appear on public lists. Call the Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan M. Mierzwa at (925) 957-5280 to ask if the county holds funds in your name.
County funds come from many sources. Property tax overpayments happen when you sell a home mid-year. The county owes you a refund but cannot find you at your old Concord address. Estates without heirs also contribute. When someone dies with no will and no known family, their money goes to the county until an heir files a claim.
Under Government Code Section 50050, counties can take ownership of unclaimed money after three years and proper notice. Once escheated, you file a claim to prove the money belongs to you. Bring old tax bills, payment receipts, or other proof when you contact the county.
Note: Contra Costa County does not charge fees to claim unclaimed property held in the trust fund.
City of Concord Unclaimed Funds
The City of Concord may hold unclaimed funds from uncashed checks. These come from vendor payments, permit refunds, utility deposits, and employee paychecks. If the city issued you a check and you moved before cashing it, the funds sit in a city account.
Contact Concord's Finance Department to ask about unclaimed funds. City offices are at 1950 Parkside Drive in Concord. Call the main number at (925) 671-3000 and ask for Finance. They will tell you if they hold money in your name and what documents you need to claim it.
Most city claims get resolved quickly. You fill out a form and show ID. The city checks its records and issues a new check to your current address. No fee applies for claiming city funds. If more than three years passed since the check was issued, the city may have sent the money to the state per Government Code Section 50050. In that case, search the state database instead.
Common Unclaimed Property Types in Concord
Bank accounts lead the list of unclaimed property. Old savings or checking accounts become dormant after no activity for three years. The bank sends the balance to Sacramento. Many Concord residents switch banks and forget to close old accounts with small balances. Those add up over time.
Wages and paychecks are next. Final paychecks from jobs you left, commission checks, or bonuses can become unclaimed if sent to an old address. Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1530, employers must report uncashed wages after one year. This is shorter than the three-year rule for bank accounts.
Utility deposits are common in Concord. When you close an account with PG&E, water, or trash service, you may not request your deposit back. The utility holds it for three years, then sends it to the state. Security deposits from apartments also end up unclaimed if landlords cannot find you after you move out.
Insurance proceeds include life insurance death benefits when beneficiaries do not know a policy exists. Matured policies and annuities also get reported to the state. Stock dividends, mutual fund distributions, and uncashed dividend checks round out the list. Some Concord residents inherit money from relatives but never knew about it. Those funds wait at the State Controller until an heir files a claim.
Filing a Claim for Concord Unclaimed Money
The claim process varies by who holds the money. For state funds, start at ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex to search. Click on any property that matches your name to see details. Then go to claimit.ca.gov to file online. Many claims can be submitted electronically without mailing forms.
You upload a photo of your driver's license or state ID. Proof of address helps too. If claiming funds from an old Concord address, show documents linking you to that address like old utility bills or tax forms. Claims under $1,000 do not require notarization. Claims at $1,000 or more need a notary per state rules. All securities and safe deposit box claims also need notarization.
For county claims, contact Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector at (925) 957-5280. Ask what forms they need and where to send them. County claims are free and follow a similar process to state claims. You prove your identity and connection to the money. The county verifies its records and issues a check if everything matches.
City claims go through Concord Finance Department. Call (925) 671-3000 to start. They will mail or email a claim form. Return it with ID and any supporting documents. Most city claims get paid within a few weeks once approved.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1540, the State Controller must decide on claims within 180 days of receiving a complete package. If they need more proof, they will send a letter explaining what documents to provide. The state does not pay interest on unclaimed property, so you get the original amount reported.
Other Unclaimed Money Resources
Some money does not go through the State Controller. Retirement benefits are separate. If you worked for a California public employer and left money in a retirement account, check CalPERS for unclaimed property. Call 888-225-7377 with questions about CalPERS benefits. Teachers should check CalSTRS at 800-228-5453 if they worked in Concord schools.
Tax refunds from the California Franchise Tax Board can become unclaimed if you moved and did not get your refund check. Call FTB at (800) 852-5711 to ask about old state tax refunds. Federal tax refunds go through the IRS. Call 1-800-829-1040 or visit irs.gov for federal refund help.
Life insurance policies sometimes go unclaimed when beneficiaries do not know the policy exists. Use the national policy locator at eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator to search for policies of deceased relatives. This is free and covers all states.
Unemployment and disability benefits from EDD may be unclaimed if you never cashed a payment. Use form DE 903SD to claim old EDD checks. Download it from the EDD website or call 1-800-300-5616 for UI or 1-800-480-3287 for DI. No fee applies.
Avoid Unclaimed Money Scams
Scammers target people searching for unclaimed money. They send emails or letters claiming you have thousands waiting. Then they ask for fees or personal information. The state never charges to claim unclaimed property. Any message asking for money upfront is a scam.
Asset locators are legal but can only charge up to 10 percent under California law. They need a written contract before collecting fees. You do not need to hire anyone. Search for free at ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex without paying a firm.
Some companies offer to search on your behalf for a flat fee. This is unnecessary. The search takes minutes and costs nothing. If someone contacts you about money you did not know about, verify it by calling the State Controller at (800) 992-4647 before responding.
Never give out your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card to someone claiming to help with unclaimed property. Agencies send you a check once approved. They do not ask for payment details. Report suspected fraud to the California Attorney General at (800) 952-5225.
Contra Costa County Unclaimed Money
Concord is in Contra Costa County. The county holds unclaimed funds from estates, tax refunds, and uncashed warrants. For full details on county programs, claim procedures, and contact information, visit the Contra Costa County unclaimed money page.