Ontario Unclaimed Property Lookup
Ontario residents can search for unclaimed money through the California State Controller and San Bernardino County. The state holds billions in lost property from banks, employers, insurance firms, and other businesses across California. San Bernardino County maintains its own searchable database for unclaimed property tax refunds. You should check both sources to find all money that may belong to you. The search is free and takes only a few minutes. Many people in Ontario have unclaimed funds and do not know it until they search. Common sources include forgotten bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, utility deposits, tax refunds, insurance payments, and stock dividends. If you ever lived or worked in Ontario, you may have property waiting under your name.
Ontario Quick Facts
California State Unclaimed Property
The California State Controller is the main agency for unclaimed property. The state holds over $11 billion waiting for owners to claim it. Banks, insurance companies, employers, and other holders must report property to the state after a dormancy period. For most bank accounts, this period is three years of no activity. Paychecks turn over after one year. Money orders wait seven years and traveler's checks fifteen years. These rules come from Code of Civil Procedure section 1513.
You can search for your unclaimed property at the state controller's property search database. The search is free. Type in your name or business name to see if the state is holding funds for you. The database shows the property type, the reporting business, and an estimated value. Many claims can be filed online if you meet the requirements.
There is no deadline for claiming property from the state. You can file a claim years or decades after the property was reported. If you lived or worked in Ontario at any time, even if you moved away, you may have money waiting under your name. The state holds it until you claim it. This is true for people who moved to Ontario temporarily for work or school and then left. Old accounts do not disappear just because you moved.
The state processes claims for free. You do not need to hire anyone or pay a fee. If you get a letter from an asset locator, know that they can charge up to 10 percent of the property value. You can skip them and file your own claim at the state controller's unclaimed property page at no cost. Simple cash claims take 30 to 60 days. More complex claims may take up to 180 days.
Note: Controller Malia M. Cohen safeguards unclaimed property for as long as it takes to reunite it with rightful owners.
San Bernardino County Property Tax Refunds
Ontario is in San Bernardino County. The county runs its own program for unclaimed property tax refunds. When property owners overpay their taxes, the county issues a refund. If the refund check is not cashed, the money goes into an unclaimed fund. The county maintains a searchable database where you can look for unclaimed property tax refunds.
You can search for San Bernardino County unclaimed property tax refunds at the county's online search portal. Enter your name or address to see if the county is holding a tax refund for you. If you find a refund, you can file a claim directly with the county auditor-controller-treasurer-tax collector. There is no fee to claim your own money.
The county may also hold other types of unclaimed funds. These can include uncashed checks from county departments, deposits from contractors, and other payments that were never claimed. Under Government Code sections 50050 to 50057, local agencies in California must hold unclaimed money for three years before it can escheat to the county general fund. During this period, you can file a claim.
If you owned property in Ontario or elsewhere in San Bernardino County and think you may have overpaid taxes, check the county database. Property tax refunds can come from reduced assessments, duplicate payments, or errors in the tax bill. These refunds may sit unclaimed for years if the owner moved and never got the refund check.
How to File Claims
The claim process depends on which agency holds your property. For state-held property, start by searching the state controller's claim filing page. When you find property in your name, click on it to start a claim. The site will tell you if you can file online or if you need to mail in a paper claim. Online filing is faster and you get updates by email.
You must prove you are the rightful owner. The type of proof depends on the property and the amount. For claims under $1,000, you may only need to provide your name, address, and Social Security number. Claims of $1,000 or more require a notarized signature. All claims for securities and safe deposit box contents must be notarized no matter the value.
If you are claiming on behalf of someone who died, you need a death certificate and proof that you are the legal heir. For small estates valued under $166,250, you can file a Declaration Under Probate Code 13101. For larger estates, you may need to go through probate court. Business claims require articles of incorporation or other business documents.
Forms you may need:
- Claim Affirmation Form (generated from search results)
- Declaration Under Probate Code 13101 (for small estates)
- Table of Heirship (for multiple heirs)
- Safe Deposit Box Property Release Form (if claiming box contents)
Mail completed paper claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. You can also drop off claims in person at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The controller will review your claim and send a check if approved. Your property is removed from the public search while the claim is being processed so other people cannot see it or try to claim it.
For San Bernardino County property tax refunds, contact the county auditor-controller-treasurer-tax collector. The process and requirements differ from the state system. Visit the county's online search portal for more information.
What Becomes Unclaimed Property
Unclaimed property takes many forms. The most common is a forgotten bank account. Checking and savings accounts become unclaimed when there is no activity for three years and the bank cannot reach the owner. This happens when people move and forget to update their address. Ontario has a mobile population with people moving in and out for work. Old accounts may sit dormant for years after someone leaves.
Uncashed paychecks are another big source. Employers must turn over paychecks after one year if they cannot locate the employee. A final check may get lost in the mail or sent to an old address. If you worked in Ontario and moved without giving a forwarding address, your last check may be with the state now. This is common with temporary workers, seasonal employees, and people who left suddenly.
Insurance proceeds often go unclaimed. Life insurance pays out when someone dies, but beneficiaries may not know a policy exists. Health insurance refunds, auto insurance claim checks, and property insurance overpayments also end up as unclaimed property. Insurers must check the Death Master File under state law, but many policies still slip through the cracks.
Other common types include:
- Stock dividends and mutual fund distributions
- Utility deposits from closed accounts
- Escrow accounts and earnest money
- Court deposits and legal settlements
- Oil, gas, and mineral royalties
- Safe deposit box contents
- Matured savings bonds
San Bernardino County property tax refunds are unique to the county system. These refunds come from overpayments, reduced assessments, duplicate payments, or errors in tax bills. If you owned property in Ontario and the assessed value was lowered after you paid your taxes, you may have a refund waiting. The county sends a check, but if it is not cashed, the money goes into the unclaimed fund.
Contact Information
For state-held unclaimed property, contact the California State Controller's Unclaimed Property Division. Call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-992-4647 from anywhere in the United States. Outside the country, call (916) 323-2827. Mail claims to P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. The public counter is at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 for in-person visits.
| State Controller | California State Controller - Unclaimed Property Division |
|---|---|
| Phone | (800) 992-4647 |
| Outside U.S. | (916) 323-2827 |
| Website | sco.ca.gov/search_upd.html |
For San Bernardino County unclaimed property tax refunds, visit the county's online search portal or contact the auditor-controller-treasurer-tax collector office for help with county-held funds.
Additional Unclaimed Money Sources
Beyond the state controller and county treasurer, other agencies may hold unclaimed funds for Ontario residents. CalPERS holds unclaimed retirement benefits for state and local government employees. Search at the CalPERS unclaimed property page or call 1-888-225-7377. CalSTRS holds similar funds for teachers. Call 1-800-228-5453 or visit calstrs.com/unclaimed-property.
The California Franchise Tax Board holds unclaimed tax refunds. If a refund check was not cashed within six months, you need to request a new check. For refunds one to three years old, send a letter to the board. For refunds over three years old, you must file a Replacement Warrant Claim form. Call the board at 1-800-852-5711 for help with unclaimed tax refunds.
The Employment Development Department holds unclaimed unemployment and disability insurance benefits. If you have an uncashed check from EDD, file form DE 903SD to claim it. There is no filing fee. Call 1-800-300-5616 for unemployment insurance or 1-800-480-3287 for disability insurance.
The Department of Industrial Relations holds unpaid wages in the Unpaid Wage Fund. This fund was created in 1975 for wages that employers could not pay due to bankruptcy or other reasons. Call the toll-free line at 1-833-526-4636 for information about unclaimed wages.
For lost life insurance policies, use the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Life Insurance Policy Locator. Visit the NAIC policy locator service to search for policies nationwide. This is helpful if a family member died and you think there may be a life insurance policy but do not know which company issued it. The service is free.
San Bernardino County Unclaimed Money
Ontario is in San Bernardino County. The county maintains an online database for unclaimed property tax refunds. For more on county programs, claim procedures, and resources, visit the San Bernardino County unclaimed money page.