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L.A. County Boosts Efforts to Return Millions in Unclaimed Property

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2026/ .. ts-to-return-millions-in-unclaimed-property.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, February 19th 2026 at 7:08 GMT by LA Times
      Locales: California, UNITED STATES

LOS ANGELES, CA - February 19th, 2026 - Los Angeles County is doubling down on efforts to return millions of dollars in unclaimed property to its rightful owners, launching an expanded public awareness campaign and streamlining the claim process. While the initial push, highlighted by Supervisor Janice Hahn and the creation of the sos.lacounty.gov/unclaimed-property/ website, has seen moderate success, officials are now implementing a multi-pronged strategy to drastically increase retrieval rates.

Unclaimed property isn't simply lost cash. It encompasses a broad range of financial assets - dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, stocks, bonds, insurance policy benefits, safe deposit box contents, and even refunds. These assets become 'unclaimed' when businesses are unable to locate the owner after a prolonged period of inactivity. California, like most states, has a legal responsibility to hold these funds, essentially acting as a custodian, and diligently attempt to reunite them with their owners.

The sheer volume of unclaimed assets is staggering. While Los Angeles County currently holds millions, extrapolating from state-level data suggests the total statewide figure is well into the billions. Nationally, estimates place the total value of unclaimed property exceeding $50 billion. Much of this remains untouched due to a lack of public awareness or cumbersome claim processes.

"We've made significant strides in digitizing the process and making it more accessible," stated a spokesperson for the L.A. County Unclaimed Property Division. "However, the challenge lies in reaching individuals who may not be actively looking for such funds. Many people are simply unaware this program exists, or they believe it's a scam."

The current campaign goes beyond the website. It includes targeted social media advertising, public service announcements on local radio and television, and partnerships with community organizations to reach underserved populations. A new initiative involves proactive outreach to senior centers and veterans' groups, demographics statistically shown to have a higher likelihood of unclaimed assets. The county is also collaborating with financial literacy programs to educate residents about unclaimed property and how to navigate the claim process.

Understanding the Process and Common Roadblocks

Searching for unclaimed property is free and relatively straightforward. The sos.lacounty.gov/unclaimed-property/ website allows users to enter their name and city to see if any matching assets are listed. However, the process isn't always seamless. Variations in name spelling, outdated addresses, and the passage of time can create obstacles.

"We are seeing an increase in claims requiring additional documentation," explained Sarah Chen, a claims processor with the Unclaimed Property Division. "Often, claimants need to provide proof of identity, such as a driver's license or Social Security card, and documentation linking them to the asset - for example, an old bank statement or insurance policy."

To address this, the county is piloting a new "Document Upload Portal" on the website, allowing claimants to securely submit supporting documentation online, expediting the verification process. They are also increasing staffing levels at the Unclaimed Property Division to handle the anticipated surge in claims.

The county is also working to address issues related to deceased owners. Claims can be filed by legal heirs, but require probate documentation, which can be a complex and time-consuming process. The county is exploring partnerships with legal aid organizations to provide pro bono assistance to heirs navigating these challenges.

Future Plans and Preventative Measures

Looking ahead, L.A. County officials are exploring ways to proactively prevent assets from becoming unclaimed in the first place. This includes encouraging businesses to improve their record-keeping practices and implement more robust address verification procedures. They are also advocating for state legislation that would require companies to make more diligent efforts to locate owners before turning assets over to the state.

"This isn't just about returning lost money; it's about responsible stewardship of assets and ensuring that individuals receive what is rightfully theirs," concluded Supervisor Hahn. "We urge everyone to take a few minutes to search the website. You might be surprised to find you have funds waiting to be claimed."

To learn more and begin your search, visit sos.lacounty.gov/unclaimed-property/