New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and New York State Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins today encouraged local residents to search for unclaimed funds, also known as lost and forgotten money, during a news conference at the Riverfront Library in Yonkers. DiNapoli’s office oversees 198,834 accounts valued at nearly $107 million that is owed to local residents who live in the 35th State Senate District, which includes part of Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle, Greenburgh and Scarsdale.

“There is more than $100 million waiting to be reconnected with local residents,” said Comptroller DiNapoli. “This money has been turned over to my office for temporary safe-keeping, and we want to return it as soon as possible. Today’s event with Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and her outreach in her district, increases awareness about unclaimed funds and helps us to get even more checks out in the mail to the rightful owners.”

DiNapoli joined Leader Stewart-Cousins to reveal the results of notification letters she sent to her constituents who were owed money.

“This initiative is an example of good government working for the people,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins. “I wanted to make sure that my constituents, whose names or companies were on the Comptroller’s unclaimed funds list, personally knew it. My office sent out more than 12,000 letters in September, and as a result, the Comptroller has returned $387,303 to constituents in my district.” 

Representatives from DiNapoli’s office were available to help local residents check to see if their name was listed in the unclaimed fund’s database. 

Statewide, there are 33 million unclaimed funds accounts statewide valued at $14 billion. Unclaimed funds is money owed to New Yorkers dating back to the 1940s. The accounts are overseen by DiNapoli’s office until the funds can be reconnected with their rightful owners. The money comes from old bank accounts, utility deposits, uncashed checks, insurance claims, stocks and other sources that have been dormant for a number of years. 

New Yorkers can search for and claim money by using the Comptroller’s easy-to-use online claiming system or by calling the toll-free call center at 1-800-221-9311 to speak with representatives from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.

Visit the Comptroller's website for additional information about unclaimed funds.