The state Unclaimed Property Program returns roughly $1.5 million a day to Californians who successfully file claims.

The state of California is holding money and property — and some of it may have your name on it.

A forgotten bank account. An uncashed check. An insurance payment. Maybe stocks, bonds, dividends, a security deposit or the contents of a safe deposit box. Often, property becomes “unclaimed” simply because someone moved, changed their name, lost track of an account or died before telling their family about it.

California’s Unclaimed Property Program exists to protect these assets and reunite them with their rightful owners. When a business or financial institution loses contact with the owner of an account or asset — generally for three years — it is required to turn that property over to the State Controller’s Office for safekeeping.

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The state does not take ownership of the money. It holds it until the rightful owner or heir claims it. There is no deadline to file a claim, and Californians never have to pay a fee to claim property directly........

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