Maine Unclaimed Property: Could the State of Maine Be Holding Money for You?

April 2026
Garrett Duchesne, CFP

Many people are surprised to learn about Maine’s Unclaimed Property Program. Have you ever had store credit, a refund, or even wages that you never received and weren’t quite sure what happened to? Those funds may have ended up with the Maine State Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Program, which is currently holding over $393 million in unclaimed property belonging to Maine residents. These funds and valuables are held free of charge until they are claimed by the rightful owner or heir.

What Is Unclaimed Property?

Unclaimed property includes a wide range of financial assets that are turned over to the State when an owner cannot be located for a certain period of time. Common examples include:

  • Dormant bank accounts
  • Uncashed checks or refunds
  • Unpaid wages
  • Life insurance proceeds
  • Stocks, dividends, and mutual funds
  • Safe deposit box contents

Unclaimed property does not include real estate, vehicles, or animals.

How Do I Claim Unclaimed Property?

Anyone can search the official Maine Unclaimed Property database using a name, business name, or property ID. We recommend taking a few minutes to search not only for yourself, but also for loved ones, just to see if there may be property waiting to be claimed.

  • If you find property that may belong to you:
  • Provide documentation, if requested, to verify ownership
  • Select the property
  • Choose your relationship to the owner
  • Submit a claim online
Unclaimed Property Auctions

In addition to cash and financial assets, the State of Maine also auctions physical items from unclaimed safe deposit boxes. These online, bi‑weekly auctions may include:

  • Collectibles and stamps
  • Jewelry
  • Watches
  • Coins and currency

Stay Informed & Avoid Scams

The Unclaimed Property Program maintains a Facebook page, (@maineunclaimedproperty) where Maine residents can receive reminders to search the database, view press releases, and stay informed about potential scams. Official system emails are sent from unclaimed.property@mail.maine.gov, though they may occasionally land in spam or junk folders depending on email settings.

A Simple Step That Can Pay Off

Each year, tens of millions of dollars go unclaimed in Maine. Taking just a few minutes to search, both for yourself and for family members, could lead to finding money or valuables you didn’t even know existed. Best of all, the service is secure, legitimate, and completely free. Go to https://www.maineunclaimedproperty.gov/ to start the process and learn more!

    Disclaimer: The information provided has been derived from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy and does not purport to be a complete analysis of the material discussed.

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