Phoenix Unclaimed Money

Phoenix residents can search for unclaimed money through the Arizona Department of Revenue at no cost. As the state capital and largest city, Phoenix has a significant share of Arizona's $2.2 billion in unclaimed property. The city does not run its own program. All lost funds from Phoenix flow to the state database. Searching takes just minutes and might reveal forgotten bank accounts, insurance payments, or old paychecks waiting for you to claim.

How to Search Phoenix Unclaimed Money

Go to missingmoney.com to start your search. This is Arizona's official unclaimed property portal. Enter your first and last name, then select Arizona from the dropdown menu. Results appear instantly. If there is a match, you will see the holder name and type of property. Dollar amounts stay hidden until you file a claim. This privacy rule helps protect against fraud.

Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the United States. Millions of financial transactions happen here every day. When people move, change jobs, or forget about old accounts, that money eventually becomes unclaimed. The state holds these funds for up to 35 years while waiting for rightful owners to come forward. With so many residents, Phoenix likely has more unclaimed property than any other Arizona city.

Try multiple name variations when you search. Maiden names count. Nicknames matter. If you owned a business in Phoenix, search that name too. The portal is free with no limits on how many searches you can run.

Arizona Department of Revenue in Phoenix

The Arizona Department of Revenue headquarters is located right in Phoenix. This is convenient for Phoenix residents who want to handle claims in person. The ADOR Unclaimed Property Unit manages all unclaimed money for the entire state from this location.

You can visit the ADOR lobby at 1600 W. Monroe Street in Phoenix during normal business hours. Staff can answer questions about your claim, review your documents, and help you with the process face to face. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Bring photo ID and any documents that prove your identity and connection to the property.

If you prefer not to visit in person, you can mail claims to PO Box 29026, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9026. Phone support is available at (602) 364-0380. This is a local Phoenix number, so there are no long distance charges for city residents. You can also email questions to UnclaimedProperty@azdor.gov.

Types of Unclaimed Property in Phoenix

Bank accounts make up a large portion of unclaimed funds. Checking and savings accounts go dormant after three years with no deposits, withdrawals, or owner contact. Phoenix has hundreds of bank branches. If you closed an account years ago but left a small balance, that money may be waiting in the state database now. CDs and money orders follow the same three-year rule.

Uncashed checks pile up fast in a city this size. Payroll checks become unclaimed after one year. With so many employers in the Phoenix metro area, workers who changed jobs may have old paychecks in the system. Dividend checks, refund checks, and vendor payments all end up in the database when no one cashes them. Even tax refunds can become unclaimed if the check gets lost or sent to the wrong address.

Life insurance is another major source. When policyholders die and the company cannot find the beneficiary, those funds go to the state. Insurance proceeds, annuity payments, and matured policies all qualify. Phoenix has a large retiree population, and many insurance policies go unpaid when families lose track of paperwork over the years.

Securities add to the total. Stock dividends, mutual fund shares, and bond payments become unclaimed when the company loses contact with shareholders. Safe deposit box contents get reported too. Utility deposits from old apartments round out the list.

Filing Claims in Phoenix

After finding your property online, file a claim through the Arizona Department of Revenue. The state uses four forms based on your situation:

• Form 600A for original owners claiming their own funds
• Form 600B for heirs claiming property of deceased persons
• Form 600C for business entities
• Form 600D for agents acting on behalf of living owners

Download forms free at azdor.gov/forms/unclaimed-property-forms. Every claim needs a clear copy of your photo ID and proof that connects you to the address where the property was reported. Good documents include utility bills, tax returns, bank statements, and lease agreements. The more proof you send, the faster your claim will process.

Heir claims require extra paperwork. Include a certified death certificate, proof of your relationship to the deceased, and any will or trust documents. If a court appointed a Personal Representative for the estate, include Letters of Office certified within the past 60 days. Estates over $75,000 must go through formal probate.

Note: Processing takes about 90 days. Securities may take up to 120 days.

Avoiding Phoenix Unclaimed Money Scams

Scammers target large cities like Phoenix because of the high population. They send letters, emails, and text messages claiming to have found your money. Then they ask for a fee or your bank account information. This is fraud. Arizona never charges to search or file claims. ADOR will never ask for credit card numbers or banking details.

Watch for these warning signs:

• Requests for payment before releasing your funds
• Phone calls asking for your Social Security number
• Letters that include the exact dollar amount
• Contact by text message, fax, or postcard
• Pressure to act fast or lose the money

Real Arizona correspondence does not include how much your property is worth. If someone tells you the exact amount, hang up immediately. Call the official ADOR number at (602) 364-0380 to verify any contact. Report suspected fraud to the Arizona Attorney General at azag.gov/complaints/consumer.

Phoenix and Maricopa County

Phoenix is the county seat of Maricopa County, the most populous county in Arizona. The Maricopa County Treasurer handles property taxes and excess proceeds from tax lien sales, but regular unclaimed money goes through the state ADOR program.

If you lost a property to tax foreclosure in the Phoenix area and it sold for more than you owed, you may have excess proceeds waiting at the county level. Contact the Maricopa County Treasurer at (602) 506-8511 for information on that separate process. Standard unclaimed property like bank accounts and insurance funds always goes through ADOR.

Contact Information

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

Walk-in service: 1600 W. Monroe Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Mail claims to: PO Box 29026, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9026. Payment arrives by check within 30 days of approval.

Nearby Arizona Cities

Search other cities if you have lived elsewhere in the Phoenix metro area. Property reports under your address at the time the account went dormant.