Western Union Unclaimed Property: What You Need to Know

Money transfers with Western Union are typically fast and straightforward. You send the money, the recipient picks it up, and you both move on with your lives.

But sometimes, life gets in the way and transfers aren’t completed as expected. When that happens, there’s a set window during which the recipient can collect the funds or the sender can request a refund. If that window closes and no action is taken, the transfer is considered unclaimed property and must be sent to the state.

Here’s a closer look at how unclaimed property works with Western Union and what to do if your transfer ends up in that category.

Key takeaways

• Inactive Western Union money transfers that sit untouched for too long are eventually classified as unclaimed property.
• Transfers can go unclaimed for several reasons, such as if a recipient is unaware that a transfer is waiting for them or if a transfer is sent to an inactive financial account.
• Once a transfer becomes unclaimed property, Western Union must transfer it to the owner’s state unclaimed property program.
• You can search for unclaimed property for free at or through your state’s official unclaimed property website.
• Claims for unclaimed property can be made online at no cost.

What “unclaimed property” means at Western Union

When a financial asset is left inactive by its owner beyond the allowed period, it becomes unclaimed property. At Western Union, unclaimed property generally results from money transfers that are never successfully received by the intended recipient. For example, suppose you send money to a family member who never picks it up. If you don’t request a refund, the funds will eventually become unclaimed property.

Each state has unclaimed property laws that outline the dormancy periods for different property types. Institutions, including Western Union, are subject to those laws and must send unclaimed property to the state government programs after the dormancy period ends, usually one to five years. The state governments then hold the unclaimed property indefinitely, or until the rightful owner claims it.

Why funds become unclaimed

While most people are quick to pick up any money transfers sent to them, there are a few common reasons recipients leave their Western Union funds waiting.

• The sender enters incorrect details, leaving the recipient unable to pick up the funds until the information is corrected.
• The recipient misses the pick-up window (90 days) and doesn’t know they can renew it.
• The funds were sent to an inactive financial account.
• The recipient didn’t know about the transfer.

For these reasons, senders should ensure they enter the recipients’ information correctly and inform recipients about transfers directly. In the case of a mistake or problem, contact Western Union’s customer care right away to resolve it.

How Western Union complies with state laws regarding unclaimed property

Western Union complies with state and federal laws governing unclaimed property. If a transfer isn’t completed within the time allowed, we take steps to return it or eventually report it to the appropriate state. Our goal is to make sure the money gets back to the rightful owner.

How to check if you have unclaimed funds

If you think you have unclaimed property waiting for you, here’s how to find out:

1. Check the national database: Missingmoney.com is the official unclaimed property website of the National Association of State Treasurers. You can search for unclaimed property in all 50 states, or in a particular state.
2. Check your state’s unclaimed property website: Each state has an official unclaimed property website. Visit the sites of states where you’ve lived or done business, and follow the instructions to perform a search.

The process to check for unclaimed property is fast and easy. You typically only need to provide your first and last name, or business name. With the national database, you’ll also need to select the state(s) you want to check. Within seconds, any existing records of unclaimed property will appear for your review.

How to claim your funds

If you find you have unclaimed property from Western Union or another company, you can file a claim with your state’s website or missingmoney.com. While the process can vary by state, it generally involves the following steps:

• Select the property: Select the unclaimed property or properties you want to claim.
• Claimant relationship description: Identify how you’re related to the claimant on the record you’re claiming. For example, if it’s your record, you’ll select “myself.”
• Provide primary information: Provide identifying information about the claimant, such as your name, birthdate, email, phone number, social security number, and address.
• Electronic signature: Sign the claim electronically, certifying under penalty of perjury that all the information provided is true, accurate, and complete.

After you file a claim, you’ll be notified by the state(s) holding your unclaimed property and informed of the next steps. You’ll often need to complete a form and provide documentation, such as proof of your address and social security number. Once you receive a claim ID, you can also typically monitor your claim status online.

How to avoid unclaimed property scams

While it’s true that many Americans have unclaimed property that can be claimed online, scammers use that fact to swindle unsuspecting victims. Unclaimed property phishing scams have become more common, which involve scammers contacting you, claiming you have a large sum of money waiting for you. They then pressure you to provide personal information or pay a fee to claim the money.

To avoid getting scammed, don’t respond to unsolicited communications about unclaimed property. Go directly to your state’s official unclaimed property website or missingmoney.com to see if you have any property to claim. The whole process should be free.

Further, if you think you may have money sitting dormant with Western Union or another company, contact the respective customer care department directly to find out. At Western Union, we will never request upfront fees, passwords, or personal details by email or text.

Learn more about fraud awareness.

Don’t leave your money behind

Unclaimed property can slip through the cracks, but Western Union’s goal is to reconnect you with what’s yours. If your transfer doesn’t go through as planned, contact us as soon as possible. We’d prefer to save you time and resolve the issue before your money is sent off to the state.

If you think you may have unclaimed property with your state, take a few minutes to check using one of the official unclaimed property websites. From there, you can file a claim to get your unclaimed funds back.

Need to transfer money to a friend, family member, or business partner? Send money now.

This blog is for general informational purposes only and doesn’t constitute legal advice. While we aim to provide accurate content, details may change over time. For specific concerns, it’s best to consult a legal or professional advisor.