Find San Bernardino Unclaimed Money

San Bernardino residents have three main places to search for unclaimed money. The city finance department holds uncashed checks and old payments issued to local residents and businesses. San Bernardino County runs a property tax refund search tool for county funds. The California State Controller maintains the largest database with billions in lost property. All three programs are free to search and claim. Most people find money they forgot about from old accounts, wages, or tax refunds. No time limit exists to claim your funds once they show up in any of these systems.

City Unclaimed Monies

The City of San Bernardino posts unclaimed monies through its finance department. These funds come from checks the city issued but recipients never cashed. When a city check sits uncashed for six months, it becomes stale-dated. The money goes into an unclaimed account until you file a claim. The city keeps these funds indefinitely with no deadline for owners to come forward.

Check the city finance page at sbcity.org/cityhall/finance/unclaimed_monies/default.asp for the current list. The city posts names and approximate amounts periodically. If you find your name, contact the finance department to request a claim form. You will need to show proof of identity like a driver's license or state ID. Fill out the form completely and return it to the city. They process your claim and send a check to your current address.

No fee applies when you claim city funds. You do not need a lawyer or third-party service. File directly with the finance department. Most claims finish within a few weeks once the city verifies your identity and matches your name to their records. Keep a copy of your claim form in case you need to follow up.

San Bernardino County Property Tax Refunds

San Bernardino County has an online tool to search for unclaimed property tax refunds. When you overpay taxes or get a reduced assessment, the county sends a refund. If the check never gets cashed or the county cannot locate you, the money sits in an unclaimed fund. The county keeps this money for years until the rightful owner files a claim.

Search the county database at sbcounty.gov/ATC/PIRFNet/search. Enter your name or the property address. The system shows if the county holds a refund for you. Results include the amount and when the refund was issued. If you find a match, follow the county instructions to file a claim. The county auditor reviews claims and issues checks to verified owners.

Contact the San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector if you have questions about a refund. The county follows California Government Code 50050, which sets rules for local government unclaimed funds. Claims are free. The county charges no processing fee when you claim your own money.

Note: County property tax refunds are separate from state unclaimed property, so search both databases.

California State Controller Unclaimed Property

The California State Controller holds the most unclaimed money for San Bernardino residents. This includes old bank accounts, wages, stock, insurance, and safe deposit box contents. Banks and businesses report funds to the state after three years of no owner contact. The state keeps your money safe with no time limit for claiming. You can get back funds from decades ago if they show up in the database.

Search the state system at ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex. Type your name in the search box. The system shows all matches across California. If you lived in San Bernardino or other cities, your old addresses may appear with the property. Search by name alone to catch funds tagged to any address you used in the past. Try maiden names and nicknames to find everything.

When you find property in your name, click on it to see the holder and approximate amount. Simple claims under $1,000 can often be filed online with just an ID upload. Larger claims need a notarized form mailed to the state. Download the Claim Affirmation Form, get it notarized, and send it to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. Most claims process within 30 to 60 days. Complex cases can take up to 180 days.

Searching for Unclaimed Money

Start by checking all three sources. Look at the city site for unclaimed monies first. Then search the county property tax refund tool. Finally search the state database, which covers the widest range of property types. Use your full legal name when you search. Include middle names and initials. Some systems match names exactly, so try different formats to cover all possibilities.

Search for deceased relatives too. If your parents or grandparents lived in San Bernardino and died, their unclaimed money may still be waiting. You can claim as an heir if you provide proof like a death certificate and documents showing your relationship. The state has forms to help you establish heirship. Small estates can use simplified procedures without going through full probate court.

Try old addresses when searching the state system. If you moved from another part of California to San Bernardino, property might be tagged with your previous city. Searching by name picks up records from all addresses. Write down property ID numbers and holder names for matches. This information helps when you file claims later.

How to File Claims in San Bernardino

Each program has its own process. For city funds, contact the finance department and ask for a claim form. Fill it out with your current info. Attach a copy of your ID. Sign the form and mail it to the address listed by the city. They verify your identity and mail a check if your claim is approved. Processing time varies but most city claims finish within a month.

For county property tax refunds, use the online search tool first. If you find a refund in your name, the site will tell you how to claim it. Some refunds can be claimed online while others need a paper form. Follow the county instructions and provide the documents they request. The auditor reviews your claim and sends a check to your mailing address once approved.

State claims start at the State Controller website. After finding property, click the claim button. The system asks for your current contact info and ID upload. Submit electronically if the claim qualifies for online filing. For claims requiring notarization, print the form and take it to a notary public. Sign in front of the notary and mail the notarized form with ID copies to Sacramento. The state emails or mails updates on your claim status.

Keep copies of all documents you send. If mail gets lost, you can resend without starting over. Track your state claim online using the claim status tool. For city and county claims, call after a few weeks if you do not hear back. Most claims finish within 30 to 90 days depending on complexity.

Additional Unclaimed Money Sources

The Franchise Tax Board holds unclaimed state tax refunds. If your California tax refund check expired, you can get a new one issued. Refunds under three years old need a simple letter to the FTB with your name, tax year, and Social Security number. Older refunds need form 3900A or 3900B. Processing takes 8 weeks for recent refunds and up to 18 months for old ones. Call 800-852-5711 for help with tax refunds.

The Employment Development Department keeps unclaimed unemployment and disability benefits. If you lost a benefit check or it expired, file form DE 903SD to get a replacement. The form is free to download at edd.ca.gov. No filing fee applies. Call 800-300-5616 for unemployment or 800-480-3287 for disability questions. EDD can search their system by your Social Security number to see if unclaimed funds exist.

CalPERS holds unclaimed retirement funds for former public employees. If you worked for a California government agency and left without claiming your account, search at www3.calpers.ca.gov/a/contact-us/unclaimed-property-search. Teachers check CalSTRS at calstrs.com/unclaimed-property. Both systems keep funds indefinitely. No deadline exists to claim retirement money in California.

Lost Life Insurance Policies

Many families lose track of life insurance when a relative dies. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners runs a free locator service at eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator. Enter the deceased person's name and basic info. The system searches multiple insurance companies at once. If a policy exists, they tell you how to file a claim with the company.

Some insurance proceeds end up with the State Controller if the company cannot find beneficiaries. Search the state database using the deceased person's name. If the insurance company reported unclaimed funds to California, they appear in search results. You can claim as the beneficiary by providing a death certificate and proof of your relationship to the insured.

For insurance questions, call the California Department of Insurance at 800-927-4357. They help with policy claims and company information. They can verify if a company is licensed in California and provide contact details. Old policies remain valid even if the company changed names or merged with another insurer over the years.

Avoiding Unclaimed Property Scams

You may receive a letter from an heir finder or asset locator company. They search public databases and contact people with unclaimed money. They offer help in exchange for a fee, usually 10 percent of the amount claimed. California law allows these companies, but you do not need them. You can search and claim for free on your own. If you choose to hire one, read the contract and know you have five days to cancel after signing.

Never pay upfront fees to claim unclaimed property. Government agencies do not charge money before you receive your funds. If someone asks for payment to search or file a claim, walk away. The city, county, and state all process claims free of charge. Be wary of emails or phone calls asking for your bank account number or Social Security number. Only give sensitive info to verified government offices.

Check website URLs before entering personal data. Official California sites end in .ca.gov. The State Controller site is sco.ca.gov. City sites use sbcity.org. County sites have sbcounty.gov in the address. If a site looks similar but has a different ending, it may be fake. Report scams to the California Attorney General at 800-952-5225 or online at oag.ca.gov.

Contact Information

For city unclaimed monies, visit sbcity.org/cityhall/finance/unclaimed_monies/default.asp or contact the City of San Bernardino Finance Department. City Hall is located at 290 North D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401. Call the finance office for claim forms and instructions.

For county property tax refunds, search at sbcounty.gov/ATC/PIRFNet/search or contact the San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector. County offices are in downtown San Bernardino. Staff can help you search records and file claims for county funds.

For state unclaimed property, call 800-992-4647 from anywhere in the U.S. Outside the country, dial 916-323-2827. Mail claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. Visit in person at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 to file or drop off documents.