If someone has contacted you saying, “You have unclaimed money and I can help you get it—for a fee,” pause before you sign anything. In most cases, you can claim unclaimed property yourself for free (or for a very small administrative fee) using official government resources. All it takes is a little time and the right steps.

Imagine discovering that an old bank account, forgotten paycheck, or insurance refund has been quietly waiting for you to claim it. Unclaimed assets are more common than most people realize, and checking for them is easier than you might think.

Imagine discovering that money you forgot about — or never knew existed — has been quietly waiting for you. It happens more often than you’d think. From old paychecks to security deposits, billions of dollars in unclaimed property sit in government and financial institutions, waiting for people to claim it.

Finding out the state might owe you money is exciting—but clicking “Submit Claim” isn’t the final step. Knowing what happens after you file an unclaimed property claim can help you avoid delays, respond quickly to requests, and get your money (or property) faster.

Finding out you might have unclaimed money in your name sounds like a dream come true. Maybe it’s an old paycheck, a forgotten bank account, or a utility deposit from years ago. States in the U.S. really do hold billions of dollars in legitimate unclaimed property.