Finding Lost Money & Assets

Aside from finding assorted loose change between couch cushions, under car mats, and in jean pockets, did you know there are other ways to find missing money and unclaimed property (such as bank accounts, safe deposit contents, stocks, mutual funds, bonds, dividends, trust funds, gift certificates, cds, insurance policies, utility deposits, etc.)? Never pay to locate unclaimed property when you can do it yourself for free. Beware of scams that charge for the service.

• Use a Free National Registry. While dozens of service providers charge a nominal fee ($25 - $100+ fee), you use a national directory for abandoned property for free! Check out Missingmoney.com (http://www.missingmoney.com)
• Check your state's abandoned property division. To maximize your opportunities, check for each state you've lived in, and search by your maiden name as well as your married name. Also, search in the states of favorite relatives. Check out http://www.unclaimed.org/find_property/default.asp. For Massachusetts, here's a more direct link http://abpweb.tre.state.ma.us/abp/frmNewSrch.aspx

Chia- ching!