State warns against websites charging fees for unclaimed property

The Delaware Department of Finance and the Office of Unclaimed Property issued a warning this week about websites offering to return missing money in exchange for a fee.

These websites often charge fees ranging from $12.00 to $29.99, according to the agencies, when it costs nothing to retrieve unclaimed funds in the State of Delaware.

Here are different types of unclaimed property:

• forgotten bank accounts
• un-cashed checks
• insurance policy proceeds
• stocks
• dividends
• utility deposits and refunds

Unclaimed property is turned over to the state after years of inactivity. You can find unclaimed property by searching a state database, available here: https://delaware.findyourunclaimedproperty.com/.

“We are committed to returning the funds that are rightfully yours,” State Escheator David Gregor said. “Our goal is to ensure that no Delaware citizen is taken advantage of by one of these websites.”