Unclaimed money · California · State Controller file of November 4, 2026
California unclaimed property: what the state is holding, and how to check
The State of California is holding $4.4 billion in 262,852 unclaimed amounts of $5,000 or more that nobody has filed a claim on: bank accounts that went quiet, uncashed checks, life insurance owed to beneficiaries and forgotten shares. 6,042 of them are worth $100,000 or more. Here is where that money is, what it is, and how to find out if any of it is yours.
How to check if any of it is yours
- Go to claimit.ca.gov, the State Controller's official search. It is free.
- Search your current name, any past names, and any business you have owned. Try a parent or grandparent too; heirs can claim.
- If you find a match, file the claim on the same site. The state does not charge anything to claim.
The figures on this page cover amounts of $5,000 or more. The state also holds millions of smaller amounts, which the same search finds.
Where the money is: the 25 California cities with the most
By the owner's last known address. Amounts of $5,000 or more with no claim filed.
| City | Amounts | Total held | $100k or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 22,735 | $367.0 million | 371 |
| San Francisco | 13,107 | $238.0 million | 275 |
| San Diego | 8,258 | $129.5 million | 117 |
| San Jose | 5,988 | $102.8 million | 113 |
| Irvine | 3,796 | $74.3 million | 73 |
| Sacramento | 3,589 | $53.9 million | 48 |
| Oakland | 3,255 | $52.2 million | 58 |
| Long Beach | 3,174 | $46.7 million | 37 |
| Pasadena | 2,137 | $36.6 million | 40 |
| Beverly Hills | 2,146 | $36.1 million | 45 |
| Santa Monica | 1,882 | $32.0 million | 41 |
| Sunnyvale | 1,552 | $28.6 million | 35 |
| Palo Alto | 1,418 | $28.3 million | 36 |
| Fremont | 1,531 | $27.4 million | 32 |
| Torrance | 1,524 | $27.2 million | 23 |
| Glendale | 1,673 | $26.5 million | 29 |
| Fresno | 1,863 | $26.2 million | 18 |
| Anaheim | 1,632 | $25.2 million | 24 |
| Santa Ana | 1,687 | $24.7 million | 25 |
| Monterey Park | 839 | $23.6 million | 32 |
| Mountain View | 1,147 | $22.9 million | 25 |
| Arcadia | 1,189 | $22.2 million | 32 |
| Bakersfield | 1,544 | $22.2 million | 19 |
| Santa Clara | 1,240 | $22.1 million | 22 |
| Berkeley | 1,186 | $21.8 million | 24 |
What kind of money it is
| Shares of stock | $687.1 million |
| Checking account | $580.3 million |
| Savings account | $383.2 million |
| Cashier's check | $313.5 million |
| Insurance money due to a beneficiary | $311.6 million |
| Mutual fund shares | $274.6 million |
| Matured CD | $169.7 million |
| Unpaid dividends | $118.9 million |
| Credit balance | $112.4 million |
| Life insurance benefit | $108.2 million |
| Refund | $105.1 million |
| Money a business owed them | $102.1 million |
Who turned it over to the state
| Bank Of America | $386.1 million |
| Charles Schwab | $250.6 million |
| Wells Fargo Bank | $210.8 million |
| Prudential Insurance | $65.5 million |
| Union Bank | $51.9 million |
| Metropolitan Life Insurance | $50.2 million |
| Morgan Stanley | $46.7 million |
| American General Life Insurance | $41.6 million |
| East West Bank | $38.2 million |
| Citibank Cca | $35.8 million |
| Invesco Investment Svcs | $33.5 million |
| Td Ameritrade Clearing | $30.6 million |
Banks, brokers and insurers report money they could not return to its owner.
Lost a home to unpaid property taxes? That money is not on the state's list
When a California county sells a home for unpaid taxes for more than was owed, the extra money, called excess proceeds, belongs to the former owner. The county tax collector holds it, not the State Controller, so a search on claimit.ca.gov will not find it. We track those county lists.
Want help getting it back?
If the claim looks complicated, for example an estate, a business or shares, we can help you recover it. Email us and tell us what you found.
support@taxliensimple.comDo you help owners recover money?
Surplus Pro gives you the full list of these amounts with owner names and last known addresses, searchable and updated weekly, plus county tax sale surplus in every state we cover.
See Surplus Pro, 7 days for $1.99Questions people ask
How do I check if California is holding money for me?
Search your name, and any past names or business names, on claimit.ca.gov, the State Controller's official site. It is free. If you find something, you can file the claim there yourself, also for free.
Is claimit.ca.gov legit?
Yes. claimit.ca.gov is run by the California State Controller's Office, the agency that holds unclaimed property for its owners. The state never charges you to search or to claim.
Why is the state holding my money?
When a bank account, check, insurance payout or brokerage account goes untouched for about three years and the company cannot reach the owner, California law requires the company to turn the money over to the State Controller, who holds it until the owner or their heirs claim it.
Can someone charge a fee to help me get it back?
Yes, but California caps it. An investigator can charge no more than 10% of what is recovered, the agreement must be in writing and disclose what the property is and that you can claim it directly, and nothing can be charged before the state pays (Code of Civil Procedure section 1582).
Is money from a home sold for unpaid taxes on this list?
Usually not. When a county sells a home for unpaid property taxes for more than was owed, the extra money (surplus or excess proceeds) is held by the county, not the State Controller. Check the county's own list, or our California surplus funds page.
Source: the California State Controller's public unclaimed property download (sco.ca.gov), file of November 4, 2026, amounts of $5,000 or more with no claim pending or paid. Cities and companies with fewer than five amounts are left out. TaxLienSimple is not affiliated with the State of California. Not legal advice.