Fullerton Unclaimed Property Lookup
Fullerton residents can search for unclaimed money through city, county, and state sources. The City of Fullerton may hold funds from uncashed checks for permits, refunds, and other city payments. Orange County operates five different unclaimed funds programs covering deceased estates, tax auction proceeds, landlord sales, and general county funds. The California State Controller holds over $11 billion statewide from forgotten bank accounts, paychecks, insurance proceeds, and stock dividends. All three sources offer free searches with no deadlines to claim. Start with the state database since it contains the most records from across California and other states. Then review Orange County's extensive programs and contact the city to see if local funds are waiting for you.
Fullerton Quick Facts
California State Controller Database
Most unclaimed money ends up with the state. Banks, employers, insurance companies, and utilities send forgotten funds to Sacramento every year. Fullerton residents should search the state database even if they find nothing with the county or city. The State Controller holds funds from all over California and other states if you lived elsewhere before Fullerton.
Search for free at ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex by entering your name. You can also search old Fullerton addresses or business names if you owned a company. The database shows the property type and approximate value. Many claims are between $50 and $500, but some reach thousands of dollars.
Common items include old checking or savings accounts. When you close an account 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 sent to an old address. Stock dividends, insurance proceeds, and utility deposits also end up with the state when companies cannot locate owners.
To file a claim, go to claimit.ca.gov after finding a match. 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 while in Fullerton. California has no time limit to claim unclaimed property once it reaches the State Controller.
Orange County Unclaimed Funds Programs
Fullerton is in Orange County, which has one of the most extensive unclaimed money programs in California. The county Treasurer runs five separate types of unclaimed funds. These include deceased estates, tax auction excess proceeds, landlord sales surplus, commercial landlord sales, and general county unclaimed funds. Each type has its own claim process and contact method.
Visit octreasurer.gov/unclaimedfunds to access all five programs. The website explains each type and provides forms for filing claims. Call the Orange County Treasurer at 855-886-5400 with questions about any of the programs. This toll-free number connects you to staff who can help determine if the county holds money in your name.
Tax auction excess proceeds are common in Fullerton. When the county sells property for unpaid taxes and the sale brings more than the tax debt, the extra money becomes excess proceeds. The former property owner or other parties with an interest can claim it. Deceased estates arise when someone dies without known heirs. The county holds the money until a relative files a claim proving their relationship to the deceased.
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. Orange County does not charge fees to file or process unclaimed money claims. Bring documents that connect you to the property or payment when you file.
Note: Orange County operates five distinct unclaimed funds programs, more than most California counties.
City of Fullerton Unclaimed Funds
The City of Fullerton 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 until claimed or transferred to the state.
Contact Fullerton Finance Department to ask about unclaimed funds. City offices are at 303 West Commonwealth Avenue in Fullerton. Call the main number at (714) 738-6300 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 in Fullerton
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 the state. Many Fullerton 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 happen when you close an account with the water company, trash service, or electric company. If you do not request your deposit back, the utility holds it for three years, then sends it to Sacramento. Security deposits from apartments also end up unclaimed if landlords cannot find you after you move out of Fullerton.
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 safe deposit box contents round out the list. Some Fullerton residents inherit money from relatives but never knew about it. Those funds wait at the State Controller until an heir files a claim.
Filing Claims for 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 Fullerton 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 Orange County Treasurer at 855-886-5400. They will tell you which of the five programs applies and what forms you need. Each program has different requirements. The county verifies your claim and issues a check if approved. County claims are free and do not need a lawyer.
For city claims, contact Fullerton Finance at (714) 738-6300. They will send you a claim form. Return it with ID and 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. 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. Teachers should check CalSTRS at 800-228-5453 if they worked in Fullerton 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 a 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.
Avoiding Unclaimed Money Scams
Scammers target people searching for unclaimed money. They send emails or letters claiming you have large sums 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 in California but can only charge up to 10 percent of the property value. They must have 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.
Orange County Unclaimed Money
Fullerton is in Orange County. The county operates five distinct unclaimed funds programs covering estates, tax auctions, landlord sales, and general county funds. For full details on all programs, claim procedures, and contact information, visit the Orange County unclaimed money page.