Registered Professional Finder
Ohio Unclaimed Property
SBE Group
Who Is SBE Group?
We serve as an independent, registered professional finder in the State of Ohio for individuals and businesses with unclaimed funds - money the state is holding on your behalf. This includes dormant bank accounts, insurance payments, and uncashed checks. We search Ohio’s official unclaimed property database to identify your assets, contact you as the rightful owner of these funds, initiate the claims process, ensure all documentation is completed and funds are paid to you directly. We receive a fee only after your funds are recovered.
What Is Unclaimed Property?
Unclaimed (or abandoned) property is money or assets owed to a company or individual that has been dormant for a length of time. These funds are turned over to the state as required by law. From there, the rightful owner can submit a claim to the state to collect the unclaimed property.
Examples Of Unclaimed Funds
Utility Deposits
Bank Accounts
Vendor Payments
Insurance Policies
Investment Accounts
Legal Settlements
Size Of Unclaimed Funds In Ohio
Total unclaimed funds: $4.8 billion
Unclaimed funds paid in FY2024: $149 Million
Unclaimed funds paid in FY2025: $109 Million
Unclaimed funds paid in FY2026: $182 Million
What Is Needed To Claim Unclaimed Property?
All claims:
-
Signed claim form (must be notarized if over $5,000 in Ohio; was previously $3,000)
-
Government issued ID (2 in Ohio)
-
Proof of tax ID number:
-
Employer identification number (EIN) for organization or
-
Social Security number (SSN) for individual
-
-
Proof of address or business relationship
-
Additional documents may be required
Barriers To Collecting Unclaimed Property
-
Finding unclaimed property
-
Proof of address
-
Cashier / Certified check – need the original or legal copy of the cashier’s check if no address listed
Examples Of Unclaimed Property Typically Missed In The Claims Process
-
Property where the owner's name was misspelled
-
Property for organization that has since changed names
-
Property for organization that bought another company
-
Property held in a state different than the address on record
Who SBE Group Works With To Collect Funds
-
Individuals
-
Corporations
-
Non-Profits
How Do The Payments Work?
-
The State of Ohio mails a check directly to the claimant. This is for both domestic and international claimants.
-
The claimant pays the contingency to SBE Group
-
The contingency fee is paid only after Ohio pays the money directly to the claimant
-
Is There A Time Limit?
-
Yes! The Ohio Legislature passed a bill that all unclaimed property gets forfeited to Ohio after 10 years. The clock starts January 1, 2026. All funds reported to Ohio prior to January 1, 2026 goes to the State on January 1, 2036.