Santa Cruz County Unclaimed Money Search

Santa Cruz County residents can search for unclaimed money through Arizona's state database at no charge. The county does not run its own unclaimed property program. All lost funds from Nogales, Rio Rico, and Patagonia flow to the Arizona Department of Revenue. With significant cross-border activity, Santa Cruz County may have unclaimed property from people who have since moved to Mexico or other states.

How to Search Santa Cruz County Unclaimed Property

Start at missingmoney.com, Arizona's official unclaimed property portal. Enter your name and select Arizona from the dropdown. Results show up right away. Matches display the holder name and type of property. Dollar amounts remain hidden until you file a claim.

Santa Cruz County sits on the Mexican border. Many residents have ties to both countries. If you worked or lived in the area and later moved, you might have forgotten wages or deposits. Search under all addresses you used while in Arizona.

Try multiple name variations. Maiden names matter. Nicknames and business names can all have funds attached. The portal is free with no limits on searches.

Santa Cruz County Treasurer

The Santa Cruz County Treasurer handles property taxes and tax lien sales. Alejandro Paz serves as treasurer. The office is at 2150 N. Congress Dr., Room 104 in Nogales. Mailing address is PO Box 1150, Nogales, AZ 85628. Phone: (520) 375-7980.

The treasurer does not manage regular unclaimed money. Bank accounts and insurance funds flow through the state ADOR program. Contact the county only for questions about tax liens and excess proceeds from foreclosure sales.

Types of Unclaimed Money in Santa Cruz County

Bank accounts make up a big portion. Checking and savings accounts become dormant after three years without owner activity. CDs and money orders follow the same path. People who moved across the border may have left accounts behind.

Uncashed checks are common in border areas. Workers in cross-border trade and customs sometimes miss final paychecks when they relocate. Those wages become unclaimed after one year. Refund checks and vendor payments end up in the database too.

Insurance proceeds and securities also flow to the state. Life insurance benefits go unclaimed when beneficiaries cannot be located. Stock dividends become unclaimed when mail bounces back.

Filing Claims in Santa Cruz County

After finding your property, file a claim through Arizona. Four forms cover different situations:

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

Download forms at azdor.gov/forms/unclaimed-property-forms. Include photo ID and proof of your connection to the reported address. Tax returns, utility bills, and bank statements all work.

Heir claims need a certified death certificate and proof of relationship. Processing takes about 90 days. Payment arrives by mail within 30 days of approval.

Avoiding Unclaimed Money Scams

Watch for fraud. Scammers send letters and emails 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 any payment to release your property.

Real letters do not include dollar amounts. If someone tells you exactly what you have waiting, hang up. The state does not cold call residents about unclaimed money. Emails requesting your bank account or Social Security number are always fraudulent. Never share personal financial information with unexpected contacts.

Legitimate heir finding companies exist but charge fees up to 35% of the property value. You can file the same claim yourself at no cost. If someone contacts you, verify the property exists first by searching missingmoney.com. Call ADOR at (602) 364-0380 to verify any contact. Report fraud to the Arizona Attorney General at azag.gov/complaints/consumer.

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. Walk-in service at 1600 W. Monroe Street in Phoenix.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Search other counties if you lived elsewhere in southern Arizona.