NJ has over $6 billion in unclaimed assets. Could you be owed some? Find out here

Moved a ton over the years or forgot about that old bank account or safe deposit box you never closed out?

While it’s smart to be on high alert for scams these days, it’s no hoax that legitimate, cold hard cash may be yours, just waiting to be claimed — you just have to know where to look.

Unclaimed cash or assets just waiting for their rightful owners total about $6.3 billion in the Garden State, according to the latest figures from the New Jersey Unclaimed Property Administration (NJUPA). Last year, residents put back in their pockets a record of nearly $203 million, a result of 73,686 claims filed.

Monies owed to or owned by somebody in New Jersey that never make it into the hands of its true owner are held by the NJUPA indefinitely or until a valid claim is processed.

So what is considered an unclaimed asset, and how do you know if you are owed any? The process is simple through the state’s user-friendly online tool at unclaimedfunds.nj.gov, so give it a look. You never know, you could hit the jackpot.

What are unclaimed assets?

The NJUPA, which falls under the umbrella of the New Jersey Treasury Department, refers to unclaimed property as tangible and intangible, such as:

• Uncashed checks
• Stocks and bonds
• Safe deposit box contents
• Abandoned bank accounts
• Unclaimed wages or commissions
• Unpaid life insurance benefits
• Utility deposits
• Unused rebate cards
• Trust distributions
• Securities and trust holdings
• Customer overpayments
• Traveler’s checks

How do I check for unclaimed assets?

New Jersey residents can search for unclaimed assets through the NJUPA website and then use the free search tool — https://www.nj.gov/treasury/unclaimed-property — to input your name. Individuals are encouraged to also search using a maiden name and a city, ZIP code, and if available, a property ID. You can also search the name of a business or nonprofit, and it might be worth checking alternate spelling of your name

Did you have a relative who died? There may be some unclaimed assets out there, too.

Have you ever resided or worked/owned a business out of state ? The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, which says that one in seven people in the nation has unclaimed property, operates a free nationwide search database to check for missing funds in all 50 states.

Claiming your funds

Filing a claim through the NJUPA is the fastest way to get your claim processed. After a claim is submitted, the UPA will provide you details of the properly you are claiming. To help support your claim, make sure you prepare necessary documentation, such as proof of identity and ownership, which will need to be uploaded online to show ownership.

The NJUPA will process and verify all information, and if you are advised nothing further is needed, it’ll just be a waiting game. You can check the status of your claim as you await your reunion with your missing money.

And as a reminder, searching for and claiming assets owed to you is completely free. So consider it a red flag when a company solicits offers to do the legwork for you, and avoid texts or other messages asking you to click a link to claim monies you are allegedly owed. These could all lead to scammers looking to steal your personal information.

Have more questions or comments? The NJUPA website has answers to a lot of frequently asked questions and the agency is hosting several outreach events through the end of the year.

Happy treasure hunting!

Email: lcomstock@njherald.com; Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH or on Facebook.