Find Clearwater Unclaimed Money

Unclaimed money linked to Clearwater addresses is held by the Florida Department of Financial Services until the rightful owner files a claim. Clearwater is the county seat of Pinellas County, home to over 116,000 people, and a city where bank accounts go dormant, paychecks go uncashed, and insurance payouts get lost in the shuffle. These funds sit in the state system waiting to be found. The search is free and open to everyone. The Pinellas County Clerk of Courts in Clearwater also holds court-related money that local residents may be owed.

Searching for Unclaimed Money in Clearwater

The Florida Treasure Hunt website is where you start. Type in your name and the system searches every unclaimed account in the state. Results tied to Clearwater addresses show up alongside everything else linked to your name. The search takes seconds. You can file a claim right from the results page.

As the Pinellas County seat, Clearwater has both residential and commercial activity that produces unclaimed funds. People who lived here, worked here, or ran a business in the area may have money waiting. Even a brief stay in Clearwater could mean an uncollected security deposit, a paycheck that never reached you, or a bank account that slipped through the cracks.

Search under all names you have used. Maiden names, married names, and name variations all count. The database matches what was reported by the holder, so spelling differences can hide your money. Try variations and misspellings to be thorough.

Common Sources of Lost Money in Clearwater

Under Chapter 717, Florida Statutes, businesses must report dormant accounts to the state after a period of inactivity. Banks wait five years. Employers report uncashed wages after one year. Insurance companies, utility providers, and investment firms each follow their own timelines set by the statute.

Clearwater residents might find unclaimed money from local bank branches that closed accounts, employers in the Clearwater area, insurance payments, Duke Energy deposits, city utility refunds, or credit unions. Businesses that operated in Clearwater and closed or moved can also leave behind accounts tied to employees and customers. That money does not disappear. It goes to the state.

The Pinellas County Clerk of Courts adds another source. Court deposits, bond money, and surplus from property sales can go uncollected. Since the Clerk's office is right in Clearwater, local cases are handled here directly.

Clearwater City Government

The City of Clearwater generates unclaimed funds from its daily operations. Utility refunds, overpayments, permit deposits, and vendor checks that go uncashed are all reported to the state when the city cannot return them. If you had a water or sewer account with the city, check whether any credit balance was left behind when you moved.

Clearwater's finance department handles thousands of payments each year. Some never reach the right person. Refund checks get returned as undeliverable, and deposits go uncollected. These funds eventually transfer to the state system. You can search for them at the state website without needing to contact the city first.

Note: Clearwater residents who moved away without closing utility accounts should especially check for unclaimed refund balances.

Pinellas County Clerk of Courts

The Pinellas County Clerk of Courts sits in downtown Clearwater. This office manages all court funds for Pinellas County. Cash bonds from criminal cases, deposits from civil lawsuits, and surplus money from tax deed and foreclosure sales are held here. When parties fail to collect, these funds become unclaimed.

Tax deed surplus matters for Clearwater property owners. If a property sold at auction for more than the taxes due, the difference belongs to the previous owner. Foreclosure sales can produce surplus under Florida Statute 45.032 as well. Former property owners in Clearwater who lost their homes through these processes should check for unclaimed surplus funds.

Reach out to the Clerk if you think you are owed money from a Clearwater or Pinellas County court case. Staff can look up whether any funds are still held locally or have been sent to the state.

Clearwater City Homepage

The City of Clearwater website covers city services, utility accounts, and other areas where unclaimed refunds can originate.

Check your past city accounts for any outstanding credits before running a search on the state database.

Filing a Claim for Clearwater Unclaimed Money

When you find a match, go to fltreasurehunt.gov and fill out the claim form online. You will need a government-issued photo ID. If the address on your ID does not match the one on the account, include a utility bill or bank statement that proves your current address.

Proving ownership is the most important step. A matching name alone is not enough. The state receives duplicate name claims regularly. Bring old bank statements, insurance letters, pay stubs, or any document that ties you to the specific account. Claims for deceased relatives need a certified death certificate and proof that you are the legal heir. The state processes complete claims within 90 days.

Florida Treasure Hunt Search Tool

The Florida Treasure Hunt search tool is the official way to find unclaimed property tied to Clearwater addresses.

Results show up instantly with the holder name, property type, and amount. You can begin a claim right from the search results without creating an account or paying anything.

Florida Unclaimed Property Law

There is no deadline to claim your money. The state never takes ownership. It holds unclaimed funds as custodian for as long as it takes. Money reported last year or twenty years ago is still available. Claiming is free.

Section 717.102 establishes the five-year dormancy period for most property types. Wages follow a one-year rule under Section 717.115. Safe deposit box contents become unclaimed after three years per Section 717.116. Holders in and around Clearwater file annual reports by May 1 as Section 717.117 requires. They should try to contact the owner before sending funds to the state.

Scam Warnings for Clearwater

Be cautious when searching for unclaimed money. The state will never text or call you about a claim without you reaching out first. Anyone asking for your Social Security number, bank details, or a payment upfront is trying to scam you. The real search and claim process costs nothing.

Paid locator services exist, but you do not need them. The state website handles everything. If you need help, call the Division of Unclaimed Property at 888-258-2253 or email FloridaUnclaimedProperty@MyFloridaCFO.com.

Nearby Cities

These cities are close to Clearwater. If you have connections to any of them, run a search there too.

Pinellas County

Clearwater is the county seat of Pinellas County. For more details on unclaimed money across the full county, visit the Pinellas County page.