Does Rhode Island owe you money? What to know about RI's unclaimed property database

The state of Rhode Island, like most other states, has collected millions of dollars in unclaimed property. Through a public records request, The Newport Daily News in partnership with the Providence Journal has created a database of the property held by the state Treasurer’s office.

The property includes unclaimed cash and assets from businesses, banks, landlords, safe deposit boxes and utility companies. The Treasurer's office estimates that more than 300,000 Rhode Islanders and Rhode Island businesses have property being held by the state.

There is about $19,663,972 in unclaimed cash listed in Newport County along with 126 tangibles and 1,296,778.83 shares. The state believes these items belong to more than 112,220 owners.

You can search our database here: Rhode Island Unclaimed Funds. Updated: The state's database does not reflect property less than $10, which is listed in the Daily News's database.

How much does it cost to get your unclaimed property back?

It is free. There are people who can help you claim the property for a fee, but you can get 100% of your property for free by contacting the Unclaimed Property Division at 401-462-7676.

How to submit your claim for unclaimed property

If you find a piece of property that you believe is yours, you must submit a "claim" via the state's website. You will need to provide your address and your relationship to the property owner, such as self, heir or representative. These steps generate the official claim and generate a claim number.

The state will outline what you need for your claim as part of that process. But most claims require a signed and completed claim form, as well as a copy of a photo ID and a legal document that includes a Social Security number. You will upload the documents via the state's secure link or mail documents to: Rhode Island Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 1435; Providence, RI 02901-1435.

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When does property become "unclaimed property"?

Rhode Island state law requires businesses to review their books and records every year to determine what might be considered “dormant.” Dormant property becomes unclaimed property and must be reported.

Type of Asset

Time Period

Most Uncashed Checks

3 years

Payroll Checks

1 year

Bank Accounts

3 years

Matured CDs

6 years

Safe Deposit Boxes

3 years

Court Deposits

1 year

Insurance Proceeds

3 years

Shares of Stocks

5 years

Dividends and Stocks

3 years

Money for Liquidated or Un-surrendered Shares

1 year

Matured Bond Principal

3 years

Refunds and Rebates

6 months

Utility Deposits

1 year

All Undefined Property

3 years

Unclaimed Property scams and frauds

In the past, few years there have been an increasing number of text and phone call scams. The Treasurer's office has had reports of people receiving "fraudulent text messages that appear to notify people that they have unclaimed property and asks them to click a link."

The Rhode Island Unclaimed Property Division announced that it never uses text messages to communicate with the public. The office states on its website that any text messages about unclaimed property are not official and should be ignored or deleted.

Searchable DatabaseRhode Island Unclaimed Funds

What other types of unclaimed property databases are there?

Every state is required to have a law regulating how to collect and return unclaimed property, but the process differs by state. Each state also has a different process for how the owner must identify themselves. The federal government also keeps a database for unclaimed federal tax returns, unpaid pensions or wages, and Veterans Affairs Life Insurance payments and more.

Digging deep into state laws: This is how easy it is to lose your home in Rhode Island to a tax sale

Holocaust Claims Processing Office

The state of New York also has the New York State Holocaust Claims Processing Office (HCPO) which provides Holocaust survivors and their heirs with information on unpaid European insurance policies from before World War II and about deposits in banks both before and during that war, and "artwork that was lost, stolen, or sold under duress between 1933 and 1945."

You do not have to be a resident of New York state to fill a claim with this office.

For information, contact the HCPO at 800-695-3318 or at its website.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: RI unclaimed property and money database: What to know about it