You might be sitting on cash you do not even know about. San Diego County’s Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office reports there is more than $1.14 million in unclaimed funds waiting to be returned to the rightful owners. It can come from things like checks that were undeliverable—maybe a refund, a vendor payment, or an overpaid tax. The county wants to make sure that money gets back to you or your business—before it disappears into the general fund.
How much could you possibly get?
Not everyone will get the same amount. The smallest unclaimed sum is just $15—but on the other end, the largest is a whopping $33,261.31. That is money you might not even realize is yours. It is worth checking, because even a few hundred dollars can make a difference.
How do you check if you are owed money?
The process is pretty simple and free, follow these steps:
- Visit the county’s unclaimed funds list online.
- Look up your name or your business.
- If your name comes up, follow the filing instructions to claim it.
You can also pick up a copy of the list at these county offices:
Need help? You can email your claim to [email protected] or call 1-877-829-4732.
When do you need to act?
There is a deadline—if you let it pass, your money will be swept into the county’s general fund. You need to file your claim by October 5, according to the county’s latest update. If you wait too long, that money might be gone for good.
Why does this happen?
The county ends up with unclaimed funds for a few reasons:
- Checks sent by the county go to old or wrong addresses.
- People or businesses simply forget to cash them.
- Overpayments, refunds, or vendor payments get lost in the mail.
Each year, county departments try to return this money—but many checks remain unclaimed.
What you should do right now
- Go online today and search for your name.
- If something comes up, file your claim right away—especially if the amount could be thousands.
- If nothing shows, keep checking—new names get added to the list over time.
This is your friendly heads-up. San Diego County is holding money that could be yours—and the largest chunk is over $33,000. Go ahead and check today. It may feel like just another chore, but who knows? That $15 or $33K could be the surprise you did not know you needed.
