(WNY News Now) – NYS Returns Over $2 Million Daily in Unclaimed Funds.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s Office of Unclaimed Funds (OUF) now returns, on average, over $2 million in lost money, known as unclaimed funds, every day. Unclaimed funds occur when people are separated from their money and can come from utility deposits, trust funds, old bank accounts, uncashed checks or unused gift cards.

“We’re returning more than $2 million a day to New Yorkers, and my office is working to make it easier than ever to reclaim lost money, including mailing some checks directly to their rightful owners.”

Thanks to a new law pushed by DiNapoli, New Yorkers are seeing faster returns for some lost money. In January, OUF began mailing checks for newly reported accounts of $250 or less to eligible individuals.

To further assist individuals in claiming their lost funds, staff members from the State Comptroller’s office attend community events across the state to provide information and assistance with the search process.

Residents who cannot make it to an in-person event can search for and claim their money by using the online claiming system or by calling 1-800-221-9311.

A map of unclaimed funds owed to New Yorkers by county and region is available here, and you can learn more about unclaimed funds by visiting: osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds.