I Remember Seeing This on TikTok Years Ago

A few years back, I remember seeing a TikTok about checking for unclaimed money. You know the kind, someone typing in their name and suddenly finding out the state owed them cash. I remember thinking, “That’s cool,” and then immediately forgetting about it like most of us do.

Fast forward to now, and I’m realizing just how real this actually is.

Texas Is Holding Billions in Unclaimed Money

The Texas Comptroller’s Office says the state is currently holding more than $10.5 billion in unclaimed property. Even wilder, $185.3 million of that belongs to people right here in El Paso County. That money is not a loan, not a scam, and not government cash. It already belongs to real people who just never claimed it.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock put it plainly: every dollar in the Unclaimed Property program belongs to a Texan, not the government. And especially around the holidays, even a small amount could make a real difference.

What “Unclaimed Property” Actually Means

This is not treasure buried somewhere. It is usually pretty boring stuff, but boring money still spends the same. We are talking about forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance refunds, utility deposits, or old accounts tied to places you lived years ago.

Sometimes the money belongs to family members who passed away, which means their relatives can claim it. When companies cannot find the owner, they turn that money over to the state for safekeeping. The state does not keep it. They just hold onto it until someone claims it.

This Is Not Just a Texas Thing

This is not just happening in Texas. Nearly every state in the country has an unclaimed property program. That means people all over the U.S. could have money sitting around waiting for them, and they have no idea.

If you have ever moved, changed jobs, or opened an account and forgot about it, there is a chance your name is on one of these lists somewhere.

How to Check and Claim Your Money

In Texas, you can search for free at ClaimItTexas.gov. Just type in your name, or even the names of your parents or grandparents. It takes a few minutes and costs nothing.

If you need help, you can also call the Texas Comptroller’s Unclaimed Property Division at 800-321-2274 (CASH).

Honestly, I wish I had followed up on that TikTok years ago. If there is even a chance that money is sitting there waiting, it is worth checking. Worst case, you spend a few minutes and find nothing. Best case, you get money you did not even know you had.

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