- It's rare: Approximately one in seven individuals and businesses has unclaimed property waiting for them. It can result from simple oversights, like moving without updating your address or forgetting about old accounts. And even if there isn’t any on your first search, new unclaimed property is reported each year.
- You only need to check once: Unclaimed property includes money, such as forgotten credit union accounts, uncashed cheques and dormant savings bonds. It also encompasses a wide range of other financial assets, including stocks, dividends and insurance benefits. New property is reported each year so it’s important to check frequently.
- It’s a scam: The Unclaimed Property Program is a province-led initiative operated by the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick. The Commission maintains a database of unclaimed property and works to connect New Brunswickers with their forgotten money.
- I’m too young to have unclaimed property: While it's true that unclaimed property can belong to retirees and people who have passed away, anyone can have unclaimed financial assets, including businesses. Unreturned damage deposits from rental units or deposits from utility companies can all become unclaimed.
- You need to pay to search: You can always search for and claim unclaimed property on FundsFinderNB.ca or MissingMoney.com for free. Avoid companies that charge you to search for or claim your unclaimed property, as these may be scams.
- It's not worth the effort to claim: Some people might assume that the amount of unclaimed property is insignificant or not worth the effort to claim. However, the value of unclaimed property can vary widely, and you could be surprised by what you find.
- It's always a quick and easy process: While claiming unclaimed property can be straightforward for some financial assets, it involves documentation and verification to prove your identity and ownership. The process can vary depending on the type of monetary property and the program’s requirements. Learn more about document requirements.
Updates and notices regarding the Unclaimed Property program. Learn more.