Tempe Unclaimed Property

Tempe residents can search for unclaimed money through Arizona's state database at no charge. The city does not operate its own unclaimed property program. All lost funds from Tempe flow to the Arizona Department of Revenue. Home to Arizona State University, Tempe has a large population of students and young professionals who may have left behind deposits or final paychecks when they graduated and moved away.

How to Search Tempe Unclaimed Money

Visit missingmoney.com to start. Type your name and pick Arizona from the dropdown. Results appear instantly. Matches show the holder name and property type. Dollar amounts stay hidden until you file a claim. The search is free and unlimited.

If you attended ASU years ago, you might have unclaimed property from that time. Student deposits, part-time job wages, and utility refunds can all become unclaimed when people graduate and leave town. Search under any addresses you used while in Tempe. Dorm addresses, apartment addresses, and off-campus housing all count. Property reports based on your address when accounts went dormant.

Try maiden names, nicknames, and business names. Spelling errors appear often. If your name is Jonathan, try Jon and John too. Women should search all married names. Business owners need to check company names and DBAs. Search for deceased relatives since heirs can claim their property.

New property enters weekly. Check back periodically. Property remains available for 35 years.

Types of Unclaimed Money in Tempe

Bank accounts are common. Checking and savings accounts go dormant after three years. Many students open accounts near campus and forget about them after leaving. A checking account opened freshman year might still have a balance when you graduate. If you moved without closing it, that money goes to the state.

Uncashed checks pile up fast in college towns. Payroll checks from campus jobs become unclaimed after one year. Refund checks from overpaid tuition or housing deposits can end up in the database too. Security deposits from off-campus apartments are another source. Work-study payments and tutoring wages follow the same pattern.

Insurance proceeds and securities also flow to the state when beneficiaries or shareholders cannot be located. Life insurance from parents or grandparents may list your Tempe address. Stock shares get turned over when dividend checks bounce back repeatedly.

Utility deposits accumulate. Electric, water, and internet companies hold deposits that students never reclaim. When accounts close and companies cannot find former customers, those deposits go to the state. Landlord deposits work the same way.

Filing Claims in Tempe

After finding property, file through ADOR:

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

Download at azdor.gov/forms/unclaimed-property-forms. Include photo ID and proof of address. Former students may need old lease agreements, ASU enrollment records, or utility bills from that time. Make copies of everything.

Heir claims require the death certificate of the original owner and proof of relationship. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and probate documents help establish connections. When multiple heirs exist, all may need to sign.

Processing takes about 90 days. Simple claims move faster. Complex claims take longer. The state confirms receipt and sends a decision letter. Payment arrives by mail after approval.

Avoiding Scams

Arizona never charges for searches or claims. The state does not require payment to release your property. Any request for upfront fees is a scam. Real letters do not include dollar amounts. You only see values after filing a claim.

The state does not cold call about unclaimed money. Phone calls claiming you have funds waiting are likely scams. Emails requesting bank accounts or Social Security numbers are fraudulent. Never share financial information with unexpected contacts.

Legitimate heir finders charge fees up to 35% of the claim value. You can file yourself for free. Verify any contact at missingmoney.com first. Call (602) 364-0380 to check if communication is real.

Tempe and Maricopa County

Tempe is in Maricopa County. Regular unclaimed money goes through the state.

Contact Information

ADOR hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone: (602) 364-0380 or (877) 492-9957. Email: UnclaimedProperty@azdor.gov.

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