To search for unclaimed settlement money by name, start with the two official multi-state databases: Unclaimed.org (operated by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators) and MissingMoney.com. Both are free, require only your name and state, and aggregate records from most state treasuries. For class action settlements specifically, you will need to check dedicated settlement databases like ClassAction.org, TopClassActions.com, or the FTC’s refund portal, as these funds are tracked separately from state unclaimed property programs. The distinction matters because unclaimed property and class action settlements operate through entirely different systems.
State unclaimed property programs hold dormant bank accounts, forgotten paychecks, insurance proceeds, and utility deposits””currently totaling over $70 billion nationwide. Class action settlements, by contrast, are court-ordered payments to consumers harmed by corporate misconduct, and a staggering 96 percent of these funds go unclaimed simply because eligible people never file. Someone searching for money owed to them needs to check both systems, since a name search on one will not reveal results from the other. This article walks through the exact steps for searching both types of unclaimed funds, explains which databases to use for different situations, highlights current open settlements worth checking, and warns about the paid “finder services” that charge fees for information available free.
Table of Contents
- Where Can You Search for Unclaimed Money Using Your Name?
- How Class Action Settlement Searches Differ From State Databases
- Current Major Settlements Open for Claims in 2025-2026
- Using Federal Resources for FTC Refund Programs
- Warning Signs of Unclaimed Money Scams and Finder Services
- How Much Unclaimed Money Might You Actually Find?
- Maximizing Your Search Across All Systems
- Conclusion
Where Can You Search for Unclaimed Money Using Your Name?
The easiest starting point is Unclaimed.org, the official search portal maintained by state treasurers through NAUPA. Enter your first name, last name, and select a state to see if any unclaimed property exists in your name. The site searches across participating states simultaneously, though some states require separate searches through their own portals. MissingMoney.com offers similar functionality and sometimes returns different results, so checking both is worthwhile. For state-specific searches, each treasury maintains its own database with varying interfaces and search capabilities. California’s Controller’s Office holds roughly $15 billion in unclaimed property””the largest state cache in the country.
Texas follows with over $10.5 billion, and Ohio holds approximately $4.8 billion. If you have lived in multiple states, you will need to search each one individually through their respective portals. The USA.gov unclaimed money page provides direct links to all 50 state databases. Keep in mind that name variations can complicate searches. Maiden names, misspellings, nicknames, and name changes from marriage or divorce mean you may need to run multiple searches. Someone named “Robert” should also search “Bob” and “Rob.” A woman who changed her name after marriage should search both her current and former surnames. These databases match records exactly, so partial matches may not appear in results.
How Class Action Settlement Searches Differ From State Databases
class action settlements require a separate search process because they are not part of state unclaimed property systems. When a company settles a class action lawsuit, the settlement administrator creates a claims process specific to that case. Some settlements automatically send checks to affected consumers, but most require you to actively file a claim by a deadline””miss it, and you forfeit your share regardless of eligibility. Several aggregator websites track open settlements and allow browsing by category or company name. ClassAction.org maintains a current list of settlements accepting claims, TopClassActions.com focuses on consumer lawsuits, and ClaimDepot.com offers searchable filters.
However, none of these sites can tell you definitively whether you qualify for a specific settlement. That determination depends on whether you purchased a product, used a service, or were otherwise affected during the eligibility period””information only you possess. The limitation here is significant: there is no centralized database where you can enter your name and see all class action settlements you may be eligible for. You must review open settlements individually and determine your own eligibility based on purchase history, account records, or other documentation. This is why 96 percent of settlement funds go unclaimed””the burden falls entirely on consumers to discover and file claims.
Current Major Settlements Open for Claims in 2025-2026
Several substantial settlements are currently accepting claims, including the Amazon Prime FTC settlement worth $2.5 billion total, with eligible consumers receiving up to $51 each. To qualify, you must have been enrolled in Amazon Prime between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025 under circumstances where Amazon allegedly made it difficult to cancel. The claims window opened January 5, 2026. Other notable open settlements include Instacart’s $60 million settlement for consumers charged for Instacart+ subscriptions without proper consent, the Hyundai/Kia airbag settlement totaling $62.1 million for qualifying vehicle owners, and the Balance of Nature settlement offering up to $30 with proof of purchase or $8 without for customers who bought products between March 2019 and October 2025.
Michael Kors is offering $30 merchandise certificates to California and Oregon outlet shoppers from the past six years, with a March 6, 2026 deadline. These examples illustrate the range of eligible behaviors and documentation requirements across settlements. Some require purchase receipts, others need account information, and some accept claims without any proof at all. Deadlines vary from months to over a year out, but missing them means forfeiting your claim entirely””courts do not grant extensions for late filers.
Using Federal Resources for FTC Refund Programs
The Federal Trade Commission maintains its own refund program separate from both state databases and private class action settlements. When the FTC takes enforcement action against a company for deceptive practices, any resulting refunds flow through the agency’s dedicated portal at FTC.gov/enforcement/refunds. The Instacart settlement mentioned above is an FTC action, for instance. FTC refunds differ from class action settlements in important ways.
The agency often identifies affected consumers through company records and sends payments automatically without requiring a claim form. When claims are required, the FTC contacts eligible consumers directly via email or mail. This is why unsolicited emails claiming you are owed FTC money and asking for personal information or payment are always scams””the real FTC never asks you to pay anything to receive a refund. The tradeoff with FTC refunds is that individual payments tend to be smaller than private class action settlements since the pool is distributed among all affected consumers. However, the claims process is typically simpler, and the FTC handles administration directly rather than through third-party settlement administrators with varying levels of organization and communication.
Warning Signs of Unclaimed Money Scams and Finder Services
Legitimate unclaimed property searches are always free. Any service asking for upfront payment to search for unclaimed money in your name is charging for publicly available information. These “heir finder” or “asset recovery” services search the same free databases anyone can access, then contact people with matching records and offer to file claims for a percentage””sometimes 10 to 35 percent of the recovered amount. While some finder services are technically legal, they provide no value you cannot get yourself in a few minutes of searching. Worse, some are outright scams that collect personal information under the pretense of helping you file a claim, then use that information for identity theft.
The FTC explicitly warns that it never asks you to pay to file a claim or receive a refund. Neither do state unclaimed property offices. One specific warning: if someone contacts you claiming you are owed money from a class action settlement you never heard of, verify the settlement independently before providing any information. Search for the case name on court records or legitimate settlement tracking sites. Scammers invent fake settlements to collect Social Security numbers, bank account details, and other sensitive information from people who believe they are filing legitimate claims.
How Much Unclaimed Money Might You Actually Find?
The statistics suggest meaningful odds of finding something. An estimated one in seven Americans””approximately 33 million people””has unclaimed property owed to them, with the average claim worth more than $2,000. State programs returned $4.49 billion to rightful owners between July 2023 and June 2024, demonstrating that substantial sums do flow back to people who search.
Amounts vary dramatically based on individual circumstances. Most unclaimed property claims are relatively small””old utility deposits, minor bank account balances, uncashed checks. But some people discover forgotten retirement accounts, life insurance proceeds, or inheritances from relatives who died without proper estate planning. The only way to know is to search, and the few minutes required make it worthwhile given the potential upside.
Maximizing Your Search Across All Systems
A thorough search for unclaimed money requires checking multiple sources in sequence. Start with Unclaimed.org and MissingMoney.com for state-held property, then search individual state databases for every state where you have lived, worked, or done business. Search under all name variations including maiden names, former married names, and common nicknames. Repeat the process for deceased relatives whose estates you might inherit.
For class action settlements, bookmark one or two tracking sites and check them monthly, since new settlements open regularly and deadlines pass quickly. When you find a potentially relevant settlement, review the eligibility criteria carefully before filing””submitting false claims is fraud, and settlements often require attestation under penalty of perjury. Keep records of your claims, including confirmation numbers and submission dates, in case disputes arise later. The combination of free state databases and settlement tracking sites means anyone can conduct a comprehensive search for unclaimed money in their name within an hour. Given that billions in legitimate funds sit unclaimed simply because people never look, that hour represents one of the highest potential returns on time investment available.
Conclusion
Searching for unclaimed settlement money by name requires using two separate systems: state unclaimed property databases for dormant accounts and forgotten funds, plus class action settlement trackers for consumer refunds from corporate lawsuits. The official free resources””Unclaimed.org, MissingMoney.com, state treasury websites, and settlement aggregators like ClassAction.org””provide all the tools needed without paying finder services.
With over $70 billion in state-held unclaimed property and 96 percent of class action settlement funds going unclaimed, the odds favor finding something if you search consistently. Run your name through the major databases today, search under all past name variations, and set a reminder to check settlement trackers periodically. The money exists and is legally yours””but only if you claim it before deadlines pass.