You may know that you have unclaimed assets out but don’t know how to find them. Or, you may not know if you’re entitled to any unclaimed assets. Either way, you can conduct an unclaimed property search to locate these funds that are rightfully yours.

It’s possible to find all of the unclaimed assets that are owed to you by using three very important steps. But this process of finding and claiming assets is relatively straightforward because the state and federal government agencies that hold billions of dollars in unclaimed assets expect people to come looking for what’s owed to them.

That’s why they provide accessible, easy-to-use and completely free tools you can use to find unclaimed assets under your name.

However, it’s important to note that information in each state may not be fully updated and may not hold all of the answers you need. Plus, the process of searching for unclaimed assets can vary slightly from state to state, so be prepared for some small nuances if you have to search across multiple states.

Here are the three important steps you can take to find unclaimed money in your name:

1.     Start your search in the state in which you currently live. Go to the state’s treasury department website or call the applicable department to get access to the database.

2.     Expand your search to nationwide and federal databases. You can also use a multi-state database to search across multiple states where you lived and worked or had relatives who may have or did pass. Searching in every possible state broadens your reach and increases your chances of finding unclaimed assets that are rightfully yours.

3.     Search specific government databases. You can access databases and archives on specific kinds of assets. You might search the U.S. courts system for unclaimed bankruptcy funds or class action lawsuit funds. If you have or had a mortgage from the Federal Housing Administration, you can search the Department of Housing and Urban Development database dedicated to owed mortgage insurance refunds.

When you’re conducting your search, it’s important to provide as much accurate information as possible. Some information you might need includes your full name (and any past names), your previous addresses, relevant court information, account numbers and more.

The more information you can provide, the more streamlined your search will be and the more likely you are to find unclaimed assets that belong to you.