Press Releases

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue,
Claim the Property that Belongs to You

PR19:5
2/5/2019
Contact: TARYN KINNEY
(916) 324-2709

SACRAMENTO— As Californians prepare for school valentine exchanges, date nights, and Galentines’ get-togethers this February, State Controller Betty T. Yee is reminding revelers to search her online database for unclaimed property. More than 48 million properties worth a total of $9.3 billion are ready for matchmaking at claimit.ca.gov.

“Whether you’re dreaming of flowers, chocolate, or homemade crafts this Valentine’s Day, one very sweet treat is money you didn’t know you had. You also could play Cupid and help reunite loved ones with their lost or forgotten cash and heirlooms,” said Controller Yee. 

In January, more than 28,000 people received their properties worth about $25.2 million. Here is a snapshot of the unclaimed property claims paid last month to people in the following 12 cities:

  • 882 properties valued at $793,467 in San Diego
  • 902 properties valued at $591,072 in San Jose
  • 554 properties valued at $318,775 in Long Beach
  • 326 properties valued at $273,076 in Fresno
  • 242 properties valued at $197,398 in Riverside
  • 135 properties valued at $159,158 in Salinas
  • 146 properties valued at $91,818 in Anaheim
  • 100 properties valued at $86,186 in San Bernardino
  • 73 properties valued at $82,627 in Santa Cruz
  • 484 properties valued at $65,336 in Bakersfield
  • 202 properties valued at $46,739 in Modesto
  • 210 properties valued at $44,811 in Fremont

People who find property on the State Controller’s website can submit claims at claimit.ca.gov or by calling (800) 992-4647. Anyone can download the unclaimed property database for free and see if people in their community or organization have items safeguarded by the state.

California’s unclaimed property law protects consumers by requiring banks, insurance companies, and other businesses to transfer property to the State Controller after a period of no activity (generally three years). Savings or checking accounts, insurance benefits, uncashed checks, wages, stocks, bonds, and safe deposit box contents are common types of unclaimed property.

As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Yee is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The Controller has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds. She is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation’s two largest public pension funds. Elected in 2014 and reelected in 2018, Controller Yee is the tenth woman elected to a statewide office in California’s history. Follow the Controller on Twitter at @CAController and on Facebook at California State Controller’s Office.

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