New York’s $21 Billion Unclaimed Funds Database: Are You on It?

New York is holding nearly $21 billion in unclaimed funds linked to individuals, businesses and organizations. The database reportedly includes well-known names such as Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Rihanna, Yoko Ono and Robert De Niro, but everyday New Yorkers may also have money waiting to be claimed.

The New York State Comptroller’s Office holds funds that were not delivered to their rightful owners, including unused gift cards, uncashed wages, tax refunds, old bank accounts and investment payments. 
 

Which celebrities and politicians appear in the database?

Recent searches reportedly found possible claims connected to:

• Zohran Mamdani: Funds linked to the Colorado Department of Revenue and a possible claim involving his Assembly campaign.

• Kathy Hochul: Funds connected to EmblemHealth.

• Donald Trump and family members: Multiple claims involving people, businesses and organizations connected to the Trump family.

• Melania Trump: Uncashed Bergdorf Goodman gift cards.

• Yoko Ono: Unused Loro Piana gift cards addressed to The Dakota.

• Rihanna: Money linked to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance and unclaimed wages from NBC Universal.

• Robert De Niro: Unpaid wages from NBC Universal and credits involving Delta Dental.

• John Mulaney: Funds connected to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

• Mark Zuckerberg: Possible stocks, dividends and investment-related funds.

Political campaigns and party organizations also appear to have unclaimed property, including campaigns associated with former New York governors Eliot Spitzer, George Pataki, David Paterson and Andrew Cuomo.

Being listed does not necessarily mean the person has confirmed ownership of the money. A claim must be reviewed and approved by the Comptroller’s Office.

Worth reading: The State By State Guide to Unclaimed Assets
 

Where does unclaimed money come from?

New York’s unclaimed funds may include:

• Unused gift cards.

• Uncashed payroll checks.

• Tax refunds.

• Old bank accounts.

• Insurance payments.

• Stocks and dividends.

• Class-action settlements.

• Safe-deposit box contents.

For example, retailers generally must turn over unused gift-card balances to the state after five years of inactivity. The money remains available for the owner to claim.
 

How to search for unclaimed funds

New Yorkers can search the state’s database for free through the official New York lost-money search.

Search using:

• Your current name.

• Former names.

• Business names.

• Previous addresses.

• The names of deceased relatives.

Businesses and organizations can use the Comptroller’s business claims instructions.
 

Do you need to pay to claim the money?

No. The official New York search and claim service is free, and unclaimed funds do not expire.

Be cautious of companies or individuals who:

• Demand an upfront fee.

• Request payment by gift card or cryptocurrency.

• Ask for sensitive information through an unsolicited message.

• Send you to an unofficial website.
   

How to contact New York’s Comptroller’s Office

For help with a claim, contact the Office of Unclaimed Funds:

• Phone: 1-800-221-9311.

• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Address: Office of Unclaimed Funds, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12236.
   

Bottom line

New York’s unclaimed funds database includes money connected to celebrities, politicians, businesses and ordinary residents. Search your name, former names, business names and deceased relatives through the official state database.

You do not need to pay anyone to search or file a claim, and the money remains available until the rightful owner collects it.

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