Mesa Unclaimed Money Search

Mesa residents can search for unclaimed money through Arizona's official state database at no charge. The city does not run its own unclaimed property program. All lost funds from Mesa flow to the Arizona Department of Revenue. As the third largest city in Arizona with over half a million people, Mesa has plenty of unclaimed property in the system waiting to be found.

How to Search Mesa Unclaimed Property

Go to missingmoney.com to start. This is Arizona's official unclaimed property portal. Enter your name and select Arizona from the dropdown. Results appear instantly. Matches show the holder name and property type. Dollar amounts remain private until you file a claim. The search costs nothing and has no limits.

Mesa is a major employment center in the East Valley. If you worked here years ago and changed jobs, you might have uncashed paychecks waiting. People who moved into or out of Mesa should search under all their previous addresses. Property reports based on where you lived when the account went dormant. Someone who lived in Mesa ten years ago should still search under that old address.

Try maiden names, nicknames, and business names. Spelling variations matter too. If your name is Robert, also search Bob, Bobby, and Rob. Women who changed their names after marriage should search all versions. Business owners need to check company names and DBAs. Search for deceased relatives since heirs can claim that money.

The database updates weekly with new property. A search today might miss funds that arrive next month. Check back every few months. Property remains available for 35 years. Old accounts from decades ago can still be claimed today.

Types of Unclaimed Money in Mesa

Bank accounts are common. Checking and savings accounts go dormant after three years with no activity. CDs and money orders follow the same rule. Old accounts you forgot about may be waiting. When people move and forget to update their address, banks cannot reach them. After several failed attempts, the funds go to the state.

Uncashed checks pile up fast. Payroll checks become unclaimed after one year. Refund checks, dividend payments, and vendor checks also end up in the database. Mesa has a large winter visitor population, and snowbirds sometimes leave behind deposits or refunds when they head north. A check mailed to a winter address might never be found if the visitor already left.

Insurance proceeds and securities round out the list. Life insurance benefits go unclaimed when beneficiaries cannot be found. The policyholder dies and family members never knew about the coverage. Stock dividends become unclaimed when mail bounces back. After enough failed deliveries, the company turns over the shares to the state.

Utility deposits accumulate in the database. Electric, gas, water, and phone companies hold deposits for customers. When accounts close and the company cannot find the customer, those deposits become unclaimed. Security deposits from landlords work the same way. Safe deposit box contents get turned over after years of unpaid rent. Gift cards from Arizona businesses become state property after five years of inactivity.

Filing Claims in Mesa

After finding your property, file a claim through ADOR. Arizona uses four forms:

• Form 600A for original owners
• Form 600B for heirs
• Form 600C for businesses
• Form 600D for agents

Download forms at azdor.gov/forms/unclaimed-property-forms. Include photo ID and documents proving your connection to the reported address. Old utility bills, bank statements, and tax returns work well for this purpose. Make copies of everything before you mail it.

Heir claims need a certified death certificate and proof of relationship. Birth certificates show parent-child connections. Marriage certificates link spouses. Probate documents can establish who inherits property. When multiple heirs exist, all may need to sign or one person needs court authorization to claim for everyone.

Processing takes about 90 days. Simple claims with complete documentation may move faster. Complex claims involving estates take longer. Payment arrives by mail within 30 days of approval. The state sends a letter when they receive your claim and another when they make a decision.

Avoiding Mesa Unclaimed Money Scams

Scammers send letters claiming to have found your money. They ask for fees or bank information. This is fraud. Arizona never charges for searches or claims. The state does not require payment to release your property. If someone asks for money upfront, that is a scam.

Real letters do not include dollar amounts. You only see how much property is worth after you file a claim. The state does not cold call people about unclaimed money. Phone calls claiming you have funds waiting are likely fraudulent. Emails requesting bank account numbers or Social Security numbers are always scams.

Legitimate heir finding services exist. They research records and contact potential heirs for a fee. These fees can reach 35% of the property value. You can file the same claim yourself at no cost. If someone contacts you about unclaimed money, verify it exists first by searching missingmoney.com yourself. Call ADOR at (602) 364-0380 to verify any contact. Report fraud to the Arizona Attorney General at azag.gov/complaints/consumer.

Mesa and Maricopa County

Mesa is in Maricopa County. The county treasurer handles property taxes, but regular unclaimed money goes through the state ADOR program.

Contact Information

For unclaimed property help, contact the Arizona Department of Revenue. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone: (602) 364-0380 or toll-free (877) 492-9957. Email: UnclaimedProperty@azdor.gov.

Mail claims to PO Box 29026, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9026.

Nearby Arizona Cities

Search other East Valley cities if you lived elsewhere in the area.