Find unclaimed money
Find your lost money
There is around $1.1 billion in lost shares,
bank accounts and life insurance.
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What is unclaimed money?
Unclaimed money is money from lost bank accounts, shares,
investments and life insurance policies. This money becomes lost
when you move house and forget to update your details with a
financial institution or company.
Unclaimed money received by ASIC is transferred to the
Commonwealth of Australia Consolidated Revenue Fund but is
available to be claimed at any time by the rightful owner and there
is no time limit on claims.
Bank accounts become unclaimed after 7 years if the account is
inactive (no deposits or withdrawals). Life insurance policies
become unclaimed 7 years after the policy matures and is not
claimed.
Find out more about
unclaimed money laws on the ASIC website.
Interest paid on unclaimed money
Interest is paid on unclaimed money, calculated from 1 July
2013. Find out more about how interest is paid.
How to claim your lost
money
If you did an unclaimed money search and found some money, you
should lodge a claim. Claim details are below for different types
of lost money:
Didn't find any lost money?
You can search for other types of unclaimed money on other
government websites:
- Australian Taxation
Office - Search for lost superannuation by registering for the
Australian Taxation Office's online services via myGov.
-
State government - Search State government websites for
deceased estates, lost share dividends, salaries and wages,
cheques, over-payments, proceeds of sale and more.
-
Fair Work Ombudsman - Search the Fair Work Ombudsman website
for unpaid wages.
How to stop your money from
becoming unclaimed
Here are some ways you can stop your money from becoming
unclaimed:
- Make a deposit - For bank accounts, make a
small deposit (even 5 cents will do) or a small withdrawal at least
once every 7 years.
- Update your details - If you move, change your
email, change your phone number or change your name, make sure you
tell your financial institution, or other organisations that you
have financial arrangements with.
Paying an unclaimed money search
company
You may have been asked to pay for an unclaimed money search or
for a private money search company to find your money for you, but
you can use our search for free. ASIC does not ask people to pay
for searches.
FAQs on the unclaimed money
search
What results are shown?
Data shown on this unclaimed money search is the result of
lodgements from various banks, building societies, credit union,
life companies, friendly societies and registered Australian
companies. ASIC does not guarantee the quality or consistency of
the input data as this information was supplied by the various
institutions.
What is an Original Transaction Number (OTN)?
Each unclaimed money record within this database is given a
unique OTN. When you find a relevant record (by searching your
name), record the OTN as you will need it to make a claim. The OTN
will also help you relocate that record in future and will assist
ASIC if we need to discuss your claim.
Do I use my name or the deceased person's name in a life
insurance policy search?
Records relating to life insurance policies vary slightly to
that of banks and companies as the policy owner may be different
from the life insured. When you do a name search, both of these
names are searched. For example, if you search for 'Robert Smith',
any life policy which has Robert Smith as either the owner of the
policy or the life insured will be displayed.
Disclaimer
This service is provided solely for general information
purposes. By providing this service ASIC does not provide legal or
other professional advice. ASIC expressly disclaims any liability
arising from use of the unclaimed money service. If you require
legal or other expert advice or assistance, you should seek the
services of an appropriately qualified professional.
Created by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Copyright © 2012 Australian Securities and Investments
Commission.
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Last updated: 08 Dec 2019