Moreno Valley Unclaimed Property
Moreno Valley residents have three places to search for unclaimed money. The City of Moreno Valley may hold funds from uncashed checks for permits, refunds, and other city payments. Riverside County maintains an online searchable database for unclaimed money including estates and tax sale proceeds. The California State Controller keeps over $11 billion statewide from forgotten bank accounts, paychecks, insurance proceeds, and stock dividends. All three sources provide free searches with no time limits to file claims. Start with the state database as it contains the most records from across California. Then check Riverside County's online system and contact the city to see if local funds are waiting for you in Moreno Valley.
Moreno Valley Quick Facts
California State Controller Unclaimed Property
Most unclaimed money shows up with the state. Banks, employers, insurance companies, and utilities send forgotten funds to Sacramento each year. Moreno Valley residents should search the state database even if they do not find anything with the county or city. The State Controller holds funds from all over California and other states if you lived there before moving to Moreno Valley.
Search for free at ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex by entering your name. You can also search old Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley.
California has no time limit to claim unclaimed property once it reaches the State Controller. Your money waits until you file a claim. This differs from other states where funds can be seized after a set period.
Riverside County Unclaimed Money Programs
Moreno Valley sits in Riverside County, which runs its own unclaimed money programs. The county Treasurer maintains an online searchable database for unclaimed funds. These come from uncashed county warrants, estates of deceased persons without known heirs, and tax sale excess proceeds.
Search the county database at countytreasurer.org/unclaimed-money by typing your name or business name. The system shows if the county holds money in your name. If you find a match, call the County Treasurer at (951) 955-3900 to start a claim. You will need to prove the money belongs to you with documents like old tax bills or payment receipts.
Riverside County acquires unclaimed property in accordance with Government Code Section 50050. This allows counties to take ownership of money that sits unclaimed for three years after proper notice. Once escheated, you file a claim to get it back. The county does not charge fees to file or process claims.
Common county sources include property tax refunds. These happen when you sell a home in Moreno Valley mid-year and the county owes you a refund. If they cannot find you at your old address, the money sits in a trust fund. 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.
Note: Riverside County maintains an online searchable database for unclaimed money, making it easier to find funds.
City of Moreno Valley Unclaimed Funds
The City of Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley Finance Department to ask about unclaimed funds. City offices are at 14177 Frederick Street in Moreno Valley. Call the main number at (951) 413-3000 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.
Types of Unclaimed Property in Moreno Valley
Bank accounts lead the list. Old savings or checking accounts become dormant after no activity for three years. The bank sends the balance to the state. Many Moreno Valley residents switch banks and forget to close old accounts with small balances. Those add up over time.
Wages and paychecks are common. 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 Moreno Valley.
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 Moreno Valley residents inherit money from relatives but never knew about it. Those funds wait at the State Controller until an heir files a claim.
How to File Claims in Moreno Valley
The claim process depends on 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 Moreno Valley 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, call Riverside County Treasurer at (951) 955-3900. They will tell you what forms and documents to provide. County claims are free and follow a similar process. You prove your identity and connection to the money. The county verifies its records and issues a check if approved.
For city claims, contact Moreno Valley Finance at (951) 413-3000. 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 Moreno Valley 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.
Watch Out for 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 Controller 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.
Riverside County Unclaimed Money
Moreno Valley is in Riverside County. The county holds unclaimed funds from estates, tax refunds, and uncashed warrants with an online searchable database. For full details on county programs, claim procedures, and contact information, visit the Riverside County unclaimed money page.