Residents and business owners who paid for San Diego city services or have done business with the city during the last three years could claim a chunk from more than $840,000 of unclaimed monies.
Nearly 1,070 residents and business owners may file a claim to the unclaimed monies. According to the city’s Department of finance, individual refund amounts range from $1 to $77,500.
“We want San Diegans to know that one of these checks could be theirs,'' said Roma Nichols, acting disbursement manager with the city's Department of Finance. “We encourage people to check their name or business name on the city website a couple of times throughout the year.
“Searching the report is free, the process to request a refund is easy and we want to get every single dollar back to its rightful owner,'' Nichols said.
Payees have one year after check issuance to claim their money. For checks issued before April 1, 2021, the last day to submit a claim is Monday, June 20. Unclaimed funds will transfer to the city's general fund on July 1, 2022.
The escheatment process occurs annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year.
A city spokesperson said that the most common types of unclaimed monies are returned checks for overpayment of business taxes, overpaid utilities, and other fees. Checks that remain uncashed after six months become unclaimed money.
The city returned about $600,800 to 75 recipients in 2021, but that was only 42 percent of the unclaimed money. The average claim was $8,011.
After a period of one-year, unclaimed monies will become the property of the local agency following the 45-day required waiting period after public notice has been provided, according to the city.
To view the report, visit sandiego.gov/finance/unclaimed. There is no charge to search the report or to file a claim. To submit a claim, print and complete the Unclaimed Monies Form and mail it to:
City of San Diego, Department of Finance
Unclaimed Monies Claim Processing
202 C St. — Mail Station 7A
San Diego, CA 92101
According to the city, a check will be issued three to four weeks after the claim is verified.
Questions about unclaimed monies may be submitted to DoF@sandiego.gov or 619-236-6310.
