Hayward Unclaimed Property
Hayward holds unclaimed money in its Finance Department for people who did not cash city checks or claim refunds. The state also has funds from old bank accounts and other sources for Hayward residents. Alameda County keeps money from estates and tax refunds as well. You can search all three places for free. No time limit to claim. Start with the city if you think Hayward owes you money from permits, deposits, or overpayments. Then check the state and county databases to see if your name shows up in their records for unclaimed funds.
Hayward Quick Facts
City of Hayward Unclaimed Funds
The City of Hayward Finance Department maintains a list of unclaimed funds. These come from checks the city issued but that were never cashed. Common sources include vendor payments, employee checks, permit refunds, and utility deposits. If you moved and forgot to update your address, you may have missed a check from Hayward.
The city lists names of people with unclaimed funds on its website. You can view the list at hayward-ca.gov/your-government/departments/finance/unclaimed-funds to see if your name appears. If you find your name, call the Finance Department at (510) 583-4801 to start a claim. You will need to prove your identity and provide details about the payment.
Most city claims get paid within a few weeks. The process is simple. You fill out a claim form and show ID. The city verifies the payment was issued to you. Then they issue a new check to your current address. No fee to claim what Hayward owes you.
Hayward sends unclaimed funds to the state after three years per Government Code Section 50050. Once transferred, you must claim through the State Controller instead of the city. Check both places if you think you had a payment from Hayward more than three years ago.
California State Controller Unclaimed Money
Hayward residents should search the state database even if they do not find money with the city. The State Controller holds over $11 billion in lost funds. Banks, employers, insurance firms, and utilities send unclaimed money to Sacramento. Much of it comes from people who lived in Hayward at some point.
Search for free at ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex by typing your name. You can also search old addresses or business names if you owned a company. The state lists the property type and approximate value. Most claims are between $50 and $500, but some are much larger.
To claim state funds, go to claimit.ca.gov after you find a match. Simple claims get processed in 30 to 60 days. Complex claims with multiple owners or heirs take up to 180 days. The state never charges a fee to file or process a claim. Call (800) 992-4647 if you need help with the state claim process while living in Hayward.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1513, different property types have different dormancy periods. Bank accounts become unclaimed after three years. Wages and payroll take one year. Insurance proceeds from life policies are also held by the state when beneficiaries cannot be found.
Alameda County Unclaimed Money Programs
Hayward sits in Alameda County, which runs its own unclaimed funds programs. The county Auditor-Controller manages an escheatment process for stale-dated warrants. These are county checks that went uncashed for more than three years. The county also handles excess proceeds from tax sales and estates of deceased persons without known heirs.
Alameda County posts annual notices about unclaimed money. You can find these at auditor.alamedacountyca.gov/uncashed-warrants-escheatment/ where the county lists names and amounts. Items under $15 do not get published but still get escheated. The county Treasurer-Tax Collector office at 1221 Oak Street in Oakland handles claims. Call (510) 272-6800 to ask if they hold funds in your name.
County unclaimed money comes from sources like property tax refunds, overpayments, and duplicate payments. Sometimes the county cannot deliver a refund because the property owner moved and left no forwarding address. Those funds sit in a trust account until someone claims them. Hayward property owners should check with the county if they sold property or refinanced recently and expect a refund they never got.
Government Code Section 50050 allows counties to take ownership of unclaimed funds after proper notice. Once that happens, you file a claim with the county to get the money back. The process is free and does not require a lawyer. Just bring proof that the money belongs to you, like an old property tax bill or payment stub.
Common Unclaimed Property in Hayward
People in Hayward lose track of money in many ways. Old bank accounts are the most common. When you switch banks and forget to close an old account, it sits dormant. After three years, the bank sends the balance to the state. Savings accounts, checking accounts, and CDs all work the same way.
Uncashed paychecks happen when employees move without updating their address. Hayward has a large workforce, and some people change jobs often. If a final paycheck or tax refund check goes to an old address, it becomes unclaimed after one year. Employers report these to the state under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1530.
Utility deposits are another source. When you close an account with PG&E or a water company, you may forget to request your deposit back. The utility holds it for three years, then sends it to Sacramento. Security deposits from landlords can also end up unclaimed if you move out and the landlord cannot find you to return the deposit.
Insurance proceeds, stock dividends, and safe deposit box contents round out the list. Some Hayward residents inherit money from relatives but never knew about it. Those funds end up with the state until an heir files a claim. Search all sources to make sure you have not missed something.
Note: California has no time limit to claim unclaimed property once it reaches the State Controller.
How to File a Claim in Hayward
Filing a claim depends on who holds the money. For city funds, contact Hayward Finance at (510) 583-4801. They will mail or email a claim form. Fill it out and return it with a copy of your ID. That is all it takes for most city claims. The city checks its records and issues a new check if everything matches.
For state claims, start at ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex to find your property. Click on it to see details. Then go to claimit.ca.gov to file online. Many claims can be submitted electronically. You upload a photo ID and proof of address. Some claims need extra documents, like death certificates for heir claims or business records for company claims.
If the state claim is $1,000 or more, you need a notary to witness your signature per state rules. Claims for securities and safe deposit box contents always require notarization. The state sends detailed instructions after you start the claim. Follow them closely to avoid delays. Most Hayward residents get paid within two months for simple cash claims.
Alameda County claims go through the Treasurer-Tax Collector or Auditor-Controller depending on the type of money. Call the county first to find out which office handles your claim. They will tell you what forms and documents to provide. County claims are free and do not need a lawyer.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1540, the State Controller must decide on claims within 180 days. If denied, you can appeal or provide more proof. The state does not pay interest on unclaimed money, so the amount you get is the original value at the time it was turned over.
Other Unclaimed Money Resources for Hayward
Some types of unclaimed money do not go through the State Controller. Retirement benefits are one example. If you worked for a California public agency and left money in a retirement account, check with CalPERS for unclaimed property. Teachers should check CalSTRS if they worked in Hayward schools and have not claimed a pension or refund.
Tax refunds can become unclaimed too. The California Franchise Tax Board holds refund checks that were never cashed. If you filed a state tax return and expect a refund but never got it, call FTB at (800) 852-5711. Federal tax refunds go through the IRS. Visit irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040 for help with federal refunds that went missing.
Life insurance policies sometimes go unclaimed when beneficiaries do not know the policy exists. The California Department of Insurance runs a policy locator service. You can also use the national service at eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator to search for policies of deceased relatives. This is free and covers insurance companies in all states.
Unemployment and disability benefits may be unclaimed if EDD issued a payment you did not cash. Use form DE 903SD to claim old EDD payments. Download it from the EDD website or call 1-800-300-5616 for UI claims or 1-800-480-3287 for DI claims. There is no fee to file for old EDD benefits.
Watch Out for Unclaimed Money Scams in Hayward
Scammers target people who search for unclaimed money. They send emails or letters claiming you have a large sum waiting. Then they ask for a fee or personal information. The State Controller never charges a fee to claim unclaimed property. Any message asking for money upfront is a scam.
Asset locators, also called heir finders, are legal in California but can only charge up to 10 percent of the property value. They must have a written contract before they can collect a fee. You do not need to hire anyone to search for unclaimed money. The state database is free and open to everyone.
Some firms offer to search on your behalf for a flat fee. This is not necessary. You can do the same search in minutes at ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex without paying. 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 number, or credit card to someone who claims to help with unclaimed property. The state and county agencies do not ask for payment details when you file a claim. They send you a check once approved. Protect your information and report suspected fraud to the California Attorney General at (800) 952-5225.
Alameda County Unclaimed Money
Hayward is in Alameda 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 Alameda County unclaimed money page.