Contra Costa County Unclaimed Property

Contra Costa County unclaimed money comes from two main sources. The county runs its own unclaimed property program through the Treasurer-Tax Collector. The state controller holds most other unclaimed funds from county residents and businesses. You should search both systems to find all money that may belong to you. The county holds funds in an Unclaimed Deposit Trust Fund. These are deposits, refunds, and other monies that went unclaimed. The state controller holds billions more in property from Richmond, Concord, Antioch, and other county cities. This includes bank accounts, paychecks, insurance proceeds, and other types of lost funds. Search both the county program and state database for complete results.

Contra Costa County Unclaimed Property Program

Contra Costa County maintains its own comprehensive unclaimed property program. The Treasurer-Tax Collector manages the Unclaimed Deposit Trust Fund. This fund holds deposits, refunds, and other monies that went unclaimed from county operations. The treasurer publishes notices of unclaimed funds and holds the money for parties who can prove ownership.

The county has reported holding substantial sums in the trust fund. In one recent notice, the Treasurer-Tax Collector of the County of Contra Costa reported having on hand in the Unclaimed Deposit Trust Fund over $133,000. This represents many individual claims that could belong to county residents or businesses. You can file a claim directly with the county treasurer at no cost.

Contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan M. Mierzwa at (925) 957-5280 with questions about county-held unclaimed property. The office can tell you if they are holding funds in your name or in the name of a business you own. You need to provide proof of ownership to claim funds from the county. This may include receipts, contracts, or other documentation showing you are entitled to the money.

Contra Costa County follows Government Code sections 50050 through 50057. These laws govern unclaimed money held by local agencies. The county must hold the money for three years and publish notice before it can escheat to the county general fund. But you can still file a claim even after the money has escheated if you can prove you are the rightful owner.

California State Controller Property

Most unclaimed money in Contra Costa County ends up with the California State Controller. Banks, employers, insurance companies, and other businesses must report unclaimed property to the state. This includes dormant bank accounts from Richmond and Concord. Uncashed paychecks from Antioch and Walnut Creek employers. Insurance payouts from policies held by Contra Costa County residents. All of these eventually go to the state controller.

Search for your property at the state controller's property search database. Enter your name or the name of a deceased relative. The search is free and covers all property reported from Contra Costa County and the rest of California. The database shows the property type, the business that reported it, and an estimated value. If you find property that belongs to you, you can file a claim online in many cases.

Under Code of Civil Procedure section 1513, different property types have different dormancy periods. Bank deposits become unclaimed after three years of no owner contact. Wages or salaries are reportable after one year. Money orders take seven years. Traveler's checks take fifteen years. Once property is turned over to the state, there is no deadline for filing a claim.

The state controller processes all claims for free. Do not pay a fee to file a claim with the state. Some companies called asset locators or heir finders may contact you about unclaimed property. They can charge up to 10 percent of the property value under California law. You can skip these companies and file directly with the state at no cost. Call (800) 992-4647 with questions about state-held property.

How to Claim Property

The claim process depends on who holds the property. For state-held property, start at the California State Controller's unclaimed property page. Search for your name or business name. If you find property, the website will guide you through the claim process. Some claims can be filed online. Others require paper forms sent by mail.

You must prove ownership. For claims under $1,000, you may only need your name, address, and Social Security number. Claims of $1,000 or more require notarization. If you are claiming property that belonged to a deceased person, you need a death certificate and proof that you are the legal heir. Business claims need articles of incorporation or similar documents.

Forms you may need for state claims include:

• Claim Affirmation Form (generated from search results)
• Declaration Under Probate Code 13101 (for estates under $166,250)
• Table of Heirship (for claims by multiple heirs)
• Safe Deposit Box Property Release Form (for box contents)

All forms are available on the state controller's claim filing page. Read the instructions carefully. Missing information can delay your claim for months.

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 reviews claims and makes a decision within 180 days for most cases.

For Contra Costa County-held funds, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at (925) 957-5280. The process is different from state claims. The county has its own claim forms and procedures. Do not send county claim forms to the state controller or vice versa. Make sure you know which entity holds your property before you file.

Note: The State Controller's Office processes unclaimed property claims free of charge.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Unclaimed property in Contra Costa County comes in many forms. Forgotten bank accounts are the most common. Checking and savings accounts become unclaimed when there is no activity for three years and the bank cannot reach the owner. Contra Costa County has many banks and credit unions serving Richmond, Concord, Antioch, and other cities. Thousands of accounts sit dormant each year.

Uncashed paychecks are another major source. Employers must turn over uncashed wages after one year if they cannot locate the employee. This happens when someone moves without updating their address. Contra Costa County has a large workforce with many people commuting to jobs in the Bay Area. Some move away and leave behind unclaimed paychecks.

Life insurance proceeds often go unclaimed. The policyholder dies and beneficiaries do not know the policy exists. Health insurance overpayments, property insurance refunds, and auto insurance claim checks also become unclaimed property. California law now requires insurers to check the Death Master File and try to locate beneficiaries, but many policies still slip through.

Other common types include:

• Stock dividends and mutual fund distributions
• Utility deposits from PG&E or water districts
• Escrow accounts from real estate transactions
• Court deposits and legal settlements
• Royalties from oil, gas, or mineral rights
• Safe deposit box contents from closed boxes
• Matured savings bonds that were never redeemed

Contra Costa County-held funds are a unique category. These include deposits made to the county, refunds from county services, and other local monies. The county treasurer holds these funds in the Unclaimed Deposit Trust Fund. Common sources include overpayments to county departments, contractor deposits, and refunds that were never claimed.

California Unclaimed Property Laws

California's unclaimed property system operates under state law. The primary statute is the Unclaimed Property Law found in Code of Civil Procedure sections 1500 through 1582. This law defines unclaimed property and sets the rules for how businesses must report it. It applies statewide including in Contra Costa County.

Holders of unclaimed property must file annual reports with the state controller. Most businesses file by November 1. Life insurance companies file by May 1. Before turning property over to the state, holders must try to contact the owner. Section 1530 requires written notice to the owner's last known address at least six months before filing a report.

The state controller decides claims under section 1540. The controller must make a decision within 180 days of receiving a complete claim. No interest is paid on claims. If the state held your money for ten years, you get the original amount only.

Penalties apply to holders who fail to report or turn over property on time. Willful violations can result in misdemeanor charges under sections 1576 and 1577. Late delivery of property triggers a 12 percent annual interest penalty. These rules encourage Contra Costa County businesses to comply with the law.

County-level unclaimed funds follow different rules. Government Code sections 50050 through 50057 govern unclaimed money held by cities, counties, and special districts. Local agencies must publish a notice of unclaimed funds once a year. If no one claims the money within three years of publication, it escheats to the local agency's general fund. Contra Costa County follows this process for its Unclaimed Deposit Trust Fund.

Contact Information

For California State Controller unclaimed property, call the toll-free number at (800) 992-4647. The call center is open during regular business hours. If you are calling from outside the United States, dial (916) 323-2827. You can also contact the controller through an online form on the state website.

Mail paper claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. For in-person visits or overnight mail, use the physical address at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The public counter can answer questions and accept claim forms during normal business hours.

For Contra Costa County unclaimed property, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan M. Mierzwa at (925) 957-5280. Visit the county website at contracosta.ca.gov for more information on county programs and claim procedures. The treasurer's office can answer questions about the Unclaimed Deposit Trust Fund.

Additional Unclaimed Property Resources

Several other agencies hold unclaimed money for Contra Costa County residents. CalPERS manages unclaimed retirement benefits for public employees. If you worked for Contra Costa County government or a California school district, you may have unclaimed pension funds. Call (888) 225-7377 to search or file a claim.

CalSTRS holds unclaimed property for teachers and school employees. Many Contra Costa County teachers work in Mt. Diablo Unified, West Contra Costa Unified, and other local districts. If you left the teaching profession and did not claim your retirement account, CalSTRS may be holding it. Call (800) 228-5453 for assistance.

The California Department of Insurance offers the Life Insurance Policy Locator service. This national database helps you find life insurance policies and annuities when you do not know which company issued the policy. The consumer hotline is (800) 927-4357.

If you are owed a state tax refund, check with the California Franchise Tax Board. Refund checks are valid for six months from the issue date. After that, you must request a new check. Call (800) 852-5711 for help with unclaimed tax refunds.

The California Employment Development Department holds unclaimed unemployment and disability benefits. If you had an uncashed EDD check, file a claim using form DE 903SD. There is no fee. Call (800) 300-5616 for unemployment insurance or (800) 480-3287 for disability insurance questions.

For unpaid wages, the Department of Industrial Relations operates an Unpaid Wage Fund. This fund holds money collected from employers who failed to pay workers. Call (833) 526-4636 to see if you have wages waiting. All of these programs operate separately from the state controller and Contra Costa County, so check each one if you think you may have unclaimed funds.

Major Cities in Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County includes several large cities. Richmond has a population over 100,000. Other major cities include Concord, Antioch, Walnut Creek, and San Ramon. Residents of any Contra Costa County city can have unclaimed property held by the state controller or county treasurer. Some cities may also have their own local unclaimed funds programs.

Other cities in Contra Costa County include Concord, Antioch, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Pittsburg, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Brentwood, and Hercules. All residents of these cities should search for unclaimed property at both the state and county level.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Contra Costa County. If you have lived or worked in multiple counties, search for unclaimed money in each location. The state controller database covers all of California, but county-held funds are managed locally and require separate searches.