Search Oxnard Unclaimed Property

Oxnard residents can find unclaimed money through three main sources. The city holds uncashed checks from its own operations. Ventura County maintains an unclaimed property program for tax refunds and other county funds. The California State Controller holds billions in lost property from banks, insurance companies, and employers. You should check all three to locate all funds that may belong to you. The searches are free and take only a few minutes. Many Oxnard residents have old bank accounts, utility deposits, paychecks, or insurance refunds waiting to be claimed. Some people find money they forgot they had. Others discover funds they never knew existed.

City Unclaimed Funds Program

The City of Oxnard may hold unclaimed funds from its operations. These funds usually come from uncashed checks issued by city departments. The checks might be for refunds, vendor payments, or deposits. If you did business with the city and never got paid, or if you lost a check, you might have money waiting. Contact the city finance department to ask about unclaimed checks.

City unclaimed money stays with the city for a time. After a certain period, it may escheat to the city general fund under Government Code Section 50050. But you can still file a claim even after escheatment if you can prove the money is yours. The city does not charge a fee to return your own funds.

To search for city-held funds, contact the Oxnard Finance Department. You can call city hall or visit in person to ask if they have uncashed checks in your name. Bring proof of identity such as a driver's license or other ID. If they find a check, they will issue a replacement. The process usually takes a few weeks.

Some city departments handle their own refunds and unclaimed funds. Water utility refunds may be held by the public works department. Business license refunds might be with the city clerk. If you are not sure which department to contact, start with the finance department. They can direct you to the right office.

Ventura County Unclaimed Property

Oxnard is in Ventura County. The county auditor-controller holds unclaimed property tax refunds and other county funds. Many residents have property tax overpayments or refunds they never claimed. The county publishes a list of unclaimed refunds each year. You can search the list or contact the auditor-controller office to ask if they hold funds in your name.

Ventura County operates under state escheatment laws. Money held for three years without contact may escheat to the county. But the county still pays valid claims even after escheatment. You just need to prove you are the rightful owner. There is no fee to file a claim for your own money.

Visit the Ventura County unclaimed property tax refunds page to search for funds. The page has claim instructions and contact information. You can also call the auditor-controller office at (805) 654-3139 to ask about unclaimed property. The staff can check if you have funds waiting and tell you how to file a claim.

County unclaimed funds often come from duplicate property tax payments, reduced assessments, or overpayments. If you paid your property taxes more than once by mistake, the county may hold a refund. If your assessment was lowered but you already paid the higher amount, you are owed money. Check with the county to see if you have a refund waiting.

Note: Ventura County publishes an annual list of unclaimed property tax refunds on the auditor-controller website.

California State Unclaimed Property

Most unclaimed money in Oxnard ends up with the California State Controller. The state holds over $11 billion in lost property from all over California. Banks must report dormant accounts after three years. Employers report uncashed paychecks after one year. Insurance companies report old policies and unclaimed death benefits. All this property goes to the state until the rightful owner claims it.

Search for your property at the state controller's property search database. Enter your name or business name. The search is free and takes only a minute. You may find bank accounts you forgot about. You may find a final paycheck from an old job. You may find insurance money or stock dividends you never knew you had.

The state search shows the property type, the business that reported it, and the estimated value. If you find property, you can file a claim online or by mail. Simple claims can be filed electronically. Complex claims may require paper forms. The state does not charge a fee to claim your property. You can do it yourself without hiring anyone.

There is no deadline to claim property from the state. The state holds it forever until you file a claim. If you lived in Oxnard years ago and moved away, you may still have unclaimed property under your name. The property stays with the state no matter how long it has been there. This is different from county and city funds, which may escheat after a few years.

Dormancy periods vary by property type. Bank deposits are three years. Wages and paychecks are one year. Money orders are seven years and traveler's checks are fifteen years. These rules come from Code of Civil Procedure Section 1513. Once the dormancy period passes, the holder must report the property to the state.

Filing Your Claim

The claim process depends on who holds your property. For state property, start at the state controller's claim filing page. Search for your property first. When you find it, click to start a claim. The site will tell you if you can file online or if you need to mail forms. Online claims are faster. You get email updates on your claim status.

You need to prove you are the owner. For small claims under $1,000, you may only need your name, address, and Social Security number. For claims of $1,000 or more, you need a notarized signature. If you are claiming for a deceased person, you need a death certificate and proof you are an heir. Business claims require corporate documents.

Forms you may need:

• Claim Affirmation Form (generated from your search results)
• Declaration Under Probate Code 13101 (for small estates)
• Table of Heirship (for heirs claiming deceased owner's property)
• Safe Deposit Box Property Release Form (for box contents)

Mail paper claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. You can also visit the public counter at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The controller reviews claims and sends a check if approved. Simple claims take 30 to 60 days. Complex claims can take up to 180 days.

For city-held funds, contact the Oxnard Finance Department. For Ventura County funds, contact the auditor-controller at (805) 654-3139. Each agency has its own claim forms and procedures. But none of them charge a fee to return your own money.

Note: Your property is removed from the public search database while your claim is being processed.

Common Types of Unclaimed Money

Bank accounts are the most common type of unclaimed property. Checking and savings accounts go dormant after three years of no activity. Credit unions, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts also become unclaimed. People often forget about old accounts when they move or change banks. The bank tries to contact you but if they cannot reach you, they send the money to the state.

Paychecks go unclaimed more often than you might think. An employer sends a final check to your last known address. If you moved and did not leave a forwarding address, the check bounces back. After one year, the employer must report it to the state. Many Oxnard residents have unclaimed wages from jobs they held years ago.

Insurance proceeds often go unclaimed. Life insurance pays out when someone dies, but the beneficiaries may not know about the policy. Health insurance refunds, auto insurance checks, and property insurance overpayments also become unclaimed. California requires insurers to check the Death Master File, but many policies still slip through.

Other common types include:

• Stock dividends and mutual fund distributions
• Utility deposits from closed accounts
• Escrow accounts and earnest money deposits
• Court deposits and legal settlements
• Safe deposit box contents
• Matured savings bonds

City and county funds are usually uncashed checks. Oxnard may hold refund checks for permits, business licenses, or utility deposits. Ventura County may hold property tax refunds or other payments. If you had financial dealings with the city or county and never got paid, check both agencies.

Contact Information

For state unclaimed property, call the California State Controller's toll-free hotline at 1-800-992-4647. Outside the United States, 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.

For Ventura County unclaimed property, call the auditor-controller office at (805) 654-3139. Visit the county unclaimed property page for claim forms and instructions. For City of Oxnard unclaimed funds, contact the finance department through city hall.

Other Places to Check

CalPERS holds unclaimed retirement benefits for state and local government employees. If you worked for the City of Oxnard, Ventura County, or any public agency, you may have CalPERS benefits. Search at the CalPERS unclaimed property page or call 1-888-225-7377.

CalSTRS holds unclaimed benefits for teachers. If you taught in Oxnard schools or any California school district, check with CalSTRS. Call 1-800-228-5453 or visit calstrs.com/unclaimed-property.

The California Franchise Tax Board holds unclaimed tax refunds. If you did not cash a state tax refund check within six months, you need to request a new one. For refunds one to three years old, send a letter. For refunds over three years old, file a Replacement Warrant Claim form. Call 1-800-852-5711 for help.

The Employment Development Department holds unclaimed unemployment and disability benefits. If you have an uncashed EDD check, file form DE 903SD. There is no fee. Call 1-800-300-5616 for unemployment insurance or 1-800-480-3287 for disability insurance.

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 helps if a family member died and you think there may be a policy but do not know which company issued it.

Ventura County Unclaimed Money

Oxnard is in Ventura County. The county holds unclaimed property tax refunds and other funds under state law. For more on county programs, claim procedures, and contact information, visit the Ventura County unclaimed money page.

View Ventura County Unclaimed Money