Thousands of Maryland residents may soon receive unexpected checks in the mail—some worth as much as $5,000—as part of a new effort to return unclaimed money to its rightful owners.
The payments are being sent by the Maryland Comptroller’s Office under a new system launched after state legislation took effect in October 2025. The program allows the state to automatically send checks for unclaimed property when officials can verify the owner and the amount is less than $5,000.
For many residents in Montgomery County, including Germantown, Rockville, and Gaithersburg, the money could come from forgotten accounts, uncashed paychecks, or other overlooked funds.
What Is Unclaimed Property?
Unclaimed property refers to money or assets owed to you that a business or organization could not deliver. This may include:
- Uncashed paychecks
- Refunds from businesses or service providers
- Escrow account balances
- Insurance payouts
- Contents of safe deposit boxes
In one case, a Maryland resident discovered she was owed $1,000 from an old escrow account she had forgotten about.
State officials say situations like moving, changing addresses, or outdated contact information often prevent companies from returning the money.
Automatic Checks Already Being Sent
The Comptroller’s Office upgraded its systems in 2025, investing more than $1 million to streamline the process and proactively return funds.
As a result:
- Some checks—around $1,000 each—were mailed in December 2025
- Another 5,800 checks are expected to be sent in March 2026
- The average check is about $500, though some could reach $5,000
Officials say Maryland is able to locate residents using verified government records, such as voter registration or other official databases.
Importantly, tax information is not used to identify recipients.
Residents Don’t Need to Take Action to Receive Checks
Before sending a payment, the Comptroller’s Office mails a notification letter approximately 45 days in advance. This allows officials to confirm the address is valid.
Recipients do not need to respond or fill out paperwork if the information is accurate.
Officials say this step helps prevent delivery errors and ensures checks reach the correct person.
Montgomery County Residents Encouraged to Check for Unclaimed Money
Even if you don’t receive a check automatically, you may still have unclaimed funds waiting.
State officials encourage residents in Montgomery County and across Maryland to search for their name on the official unclaimed property database.
Some residents who filed claims manually have experienced delays, though the Comptroller’s Office says processing times are improving and currently average about three months.
How to Verify the Check Is Legitimate
Because unexpected checks can raise scam concerns, officials say residents should verify payments by:
- Looking for official state letterhead
- Searching their name in the state’s unclaimed property system
- Contacting the Comptroller’s Office directly if unsure
Officials emphasize that legitimate payments are part of a statewide effort to return money that legally belongs to Maryland residents.
