Property types
Uncashed Checks, Refunds & Store Credit
Updated July 25, 2026
The single most common kind of unclaimed property is a check that was written to you but never cashed — a refund, a rebate, an insurance or class-action settlement payment, a cashier's check, a money order. Add credit balances and store credit, and this category touches almost everyone.
Search your name — this is where most people find a surprise.
Checks that go stale
Common uncashed checks that become unclaimed property:
- Refund and rebate checks
- Insurance and class-action settlement payments
- Cashier's checks and money orders that were never cashed
- Escrow and closing refunds from a home sale or refinance
- Uncashed vendor, court, or government checks
Credit balances and store credit
Overpay a bill, return something after paying, or leave a positive balance on an account, and the business owes you money back. Credit balances at retailers, utilities, medical providers, and card issuers are routinely escheated. Gift cards and certificates are treated differently by state — many are exempt or only partially escheated — so they appear less often, but merchandise credits and layaway refunds do show up.
How to find and claim them
Uncashed checks are the easiest category to find — search your name and former names, across every state you have lived in, then file the free claim. Watch for finders who charge to recover money you can get yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Are uncashed checks unclaimed property?
Yes — uncashed refund, rebate, payroll, insurance, and vendor checks are the most common category of unclaimed property once they go stale and are reported to the state.
Is unused gift-card or store credit unclaimed property?
Sometimes. States treat gift cards differently — many are exempt or only partly escheated — but merchandise credits, layaway refunds, and account credit balances are commonly turned over to the state.
How do I claim an old refund check?
Search your name in the state that issued it, then file a claim through the official program. It is free and there is no deadline.
Ready to check for money in your name?
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