WASHINGTON, DC – July 12, 2023 – The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) and the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) today issued a public advisory regarding fraudulent attempts to contact individuals about unclaimed property. It is crucial for the public to be aware that NAUPA and NAST will never directly contact individuals regarding unclaimed property, and any such communication should be treated as fraudulent.
Unclaimed property refers to financial assets and possessions that have been abandoned by their rightful owners for various reasons, such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, or unclaimed insurance policies. State governments hold these assets until they can be reunited with their rightful owners.
Unfortunately, scammers have been capitalizing on the public’s interest in unclaimed property, attempting to deceive individuals by posing as representatives of NAUPA or NAST. These fraudulent actors may use various means to contact individuals, including phone calls, emails, or direct mail.
To safeguard against falling victim to these fraudulent attempts, the public is strongly advised to follow these key guidelines:
- Be wary of unsolicited communications. NAUPA and NAST will never reach out directly to individuals regarding unclaimed property. If you receive a phone call, email, or any other form of communication claiming to be from NAUPA or NAST, exercise caution and be skeptical of the legitimacy of the message.
- Claim property directly from government unclaimed property offices like the Utah Office of State Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Division (mycash.utah.gov). It is important to remember that claiming unclaimed property is always free, and individuals can initiate the process by directly contacting their state government’s unclaimed property office. These offices have established procedures and resources to assist individuals in claiming their rightful property.
- Rely on trusted sources. To search for unclaimed property, we encourage individuals to use trusted sources such as unclaimed.org and missingmoney.com. These websites are official resources endorsed by NAUPA and NAST, providing accurate and safe unclaimed property searches.
- Report fraudulent attempts. If you suspect you have been targeted by a fraudulent communication or have fallen victim to a scam, please report it immediately to your local law enforcement authorities and to NAUPA or NAST. By reporting these incidents, you help protect others from falling prey to similar scams.
NAST and NAUPA are committed to ensuring the safety and security of individuals seeking to claim their unclaimed property. We are actively working to raise awareness about these fraudulent activities and provide the public with accurate information to protect themselves.
About NAUPA:
The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) is comprised of the unclaimed property programs of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as several foreign jurisdictions. The organization’s objective is to facilitate collaboration and otherwise support program administrators in reuniting all unclaimed assets with rightful owners. NAUPA is an affiliate of the bi-partisan National Association of State Treasurers.
About NAST:
The National Association of State Treasurers provides advocacy and support that enables member states to pursue and administer sound financial policies and programs benefiting the citizens of the nation. Membership is composed of all state treasurers or state finance officials with comparable responsibilities from the United States, its commonwealths, territories, and the District of Columbia as well as their staff. The private sector is represented through the Corporate Affiliate Program that was established to build professional relationships and foster cooperation between the public and private sectors. The association serves its members through educational conferences and webinars, a variety of working groups, policy advocacy, and publications that provide information about developments in public finance. For more information, visit www.nast.org.