DiNapoli and Diaz Help Bronx Residents Claim $245 Million in Lost Money

See Neighborhood Map of Money Owed

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today encouraged Bronx residents to search for forgotten money belonging to them at Bronx Borough Hall. More than 444,000 accounts valued at nearly $245 million are owed to Bronx residents.

“There are about 245 million reasons why Bronx residents should be at Bronx Borough Hall today,” said DiNapoli. “When an individual forgets about an old bank account or a utility deposit, that money can eventually be turned over to the State Comptroller’s office. Today’s event with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will help raise awareness about unclaimed funds across the borough. It’s your money, come and get it. My thanks to Borough President Diaz for inviting my team and me to provide this service to his Bronx constituents.”

“With this found money, poor and low income families can stretch their budget and have more to spend on essential needs, like rent, transportation, child care and utilities,” said Diaz Jr. “I encourage Bronx residents to make the effort to track down their unclaimed money from the more than $244 million in unclaimed funds currently being held by the state. I thank Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and the Office of the New York State Comptroller for expanding their efforts to track down the owners of these unclaimed funds in The Bronx.”

Unclaimed funds is money owed to New Yorkers dating back to the 1940s. The accounts are overseen by DiNapoli’s office until the funds can be reconnected with their rightful owners. The money comes from old bank accounts, utility deposits, uncashed checks, insurance claims, stocks and other sources that have been dormant for a number of years.

DiNapoli’s office oversees 444,181 unclaimed funds accounts valued at $244,783,169.60 belonging to Bronx residents.

There are 31 million unclaimed funds accounts statewide valued at $13 billion.

New Yorkers can search for and claim money by using the Comptroller’s easy-to-use online claiming system or by calling the toll-free call center at 1-800-221-9311 to speak with English or Spanish-speaking representatives from 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.

A total of $1.6 million in unclaimed funds has been returned to Bronx residents since January.

Visit the Comptroller’s website for additional information about unclaimed funds.