ByHow To Get Ahold of Your Unclaimed Money in Delaware
According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA), every tenth U.S. citizen has some unclaimed money. With so many scams, different state rules, and contradicting information, it can be challenging to search for your unclaimed funds.
We’ll answer any questions you may have and break down all the ways to find unclaimed money in Delaware.
What Is Unclaimed Money in Delaware?
People who don’t understand what unclaimed money is either believe it’s a scam or that it’s free money that anybody can claim. Both groups would be wrong.
You could become a victim of numerous scams, but unclaimed money is legitimate. It belongs to their rightful owners, which means it’s not up for grabs.
Unclaimed assets are abandoned or forgotten funds that become unclaimed after a specific period of inactivity. In Delaware, when insurance money or banking accounts remain dormant for five years, the financial institutions report them to The Delaware Office of Unclaimed Property (OUP), and the money becomes unclaimed.
Types of Unclaimed Property
Not every asset can become unclaimed property. Check out what unclaimed funds you might be entitled to:
| What Can Become Unclaimed Property? | What Cannot Become Unclaimed Property? |
|
|
Why Does Delaware Have So Much Unclaimed Money?
Between 2016 and 2019, Delaware returned more than $300 million in unclaimed cash to its owners. One person usually collects around $100, but so many people are not aware they have any missing or forgotten cash that the unclaimed money piles up.
Funds usually end up unclaimed when someone:
- Misses a paycheck
- Forgets to claim a refund
- Doesn’t collect a safety deposit
- Cannot contact the heirs when a person dies
- Switches to another bank and doesn’t withdraw money from their account
- Doesn’t retrieve their money from a bank that closed down
The financial institutions holding someone’s money should contact the owner before reporting it to the Delaware Office of Unclaimed Property (OUP). The institutions hand over the money to OUP when they cannot track down the owner. This happens when the owner changes their name, address, and contact information.
Delaware Unclaimed Cash Scams
Many people fall for unclaimed money scams, mostly because they can be really believable. Most unclaimed money scammers operate via:
- Emails
- Letters
- Phone calls
- Text messages
The usual scenario involves someone from “OUP” reaching out to you to ask for your personal details, such as your Social Security number. They will also request a fee or a percentage of your unclaimed funds.
OUP has set up a fraud alert on its website to help people recognize potential scams. The alert warns that Delaware residents are receiving numerous scam text messages inviting them to follow a link to access the DE unclaimed money database. OUP never contacts claimants over text and recommends ignoring or deleting such messages.
If you need more insight into how to claim your money without getting scammed, check out our unclaimed money reviews.
Where Can I Look For Unclaimed Funds in Delaware?
If you know you haven’t claimed a refund or a paycheck, contact the company in question. But, if you’re not sure whether there’s some abandoned money you are entitled to, don’t waste your time checking different sources.
To steer clear of any scams, you should stick to reliable websites where you can check if you have any unclaimed funds under your name. You can safely comb through the database at:
- DoNotPay
- The Delaware Office of Unclaimed Property (OUP)
Delaware Unclaimed Money Search Explained
To search for your unclaimed money and file a claim at OUP, you can do so on its website. Follow these steps to check if Delaware holds any unclaimed money for you:
- Go to OUP’s Claim Unclaimed Property page
- Enter your name, city, and ZIP code
- Click on Search
- Select the properties you want to claim
- Tap on View Claimed Properties
- Follow the prompts and initiate your claim
OUP will contact you to confirm they have received your claim and ask for additional information or documentation, such as a copy of your ID and a document verifying your address. You can upload any documentation on the website, send it via email, or mail it to:
Delaware Department of Finance
Office of Unclaimed Property
PO Box 8931
Wilmington, DE 19899-8931
If at any moment you need assistance, you can contact OUP by:
- Visiting OUP in person
- Calling (855) 505-7520
- Sending an email at escheat.claimquestions@delaware.gov
Get to Your Unclaimed Money Faster With DoNotPay
Combing through state treasuries and unclaimed property offices can be daunting, especially if you have to visit multiple websites. DoNotPay has found a way to fast-track your search and allow you to check if you have any unclaimed money in a few clicks.
Do the following to search our database covering all states:
- Open DoNotPay in a
- Choose the Missing Money feature
- Enter your personal details, all your previous addresses, and your middle name
- Tap on Claim My Property when we list out your unclaimed money
You can relax and let DoNotPay take care of your claim. We will file it on your behalf and keep you posted on the status.
How To Stop Your Money From Becoming Unclaimed
Assets usually become unclaimed because the institution holding your money is unable to contact you. If you don’t want to deal with unclaimed money in the future, there are some precautions you can take:
- Keep your bank account active—monitor, deposit and withdraw funds
- Notify the holders when you move, get married, or change your contact information
- Keep a record of your bank accounts, insurance policies, and paid wages
- Draw up a will and designate a trusted person who would have access to your funds
DoNotPay Can Do Even More for Delaware Residents
Do you want to know more about unclaimed money in other states? Check out our articles on unclaimed funds in Oregon, Virginia, Arkansas, California, or any other.
We can assist you with other issues as well. If you need help blocking spam email on Android, unsubscribing from emails, getting rid of Yahoo spam email, or reporting harassing phone calls, we know the way!
When money is tight, you can count on DoNotPay to help you lower or cover your cable, dental, or electric bills.
Open DoNotPay in a , and reap the benefits of our many features. With DoNotPay, you can:
- Get rid of text message spam
- Sign up for services without phone verification
- Cancel your subscriptions or memberships easily
- Appeal your parking tickets
- Deal with credit card issues
- Find any unclaimed funds under your name
- Contest your speeding tickets
- Get in touch with your loved ones in jail
- Protect your work against copyright infringement
- Retaliate against annoying robocalls
- Protect yourself from stalking and harassment
- Jump the phone queue when getting in touch with customer service reps
- Take people and companies to small claims court
- Schedule a DMV appointment without a hitch
- Fight your traffic tickets
- Find and apply for clinical trials near you
- Manage bills you are unable to pay
- Block spam emails for good
- Request a refund from any company
- Start free trials without any risks
- Request a refund and compensation for a delayed or canceled flight