Unclaimed Cash: Now may be a great time to see if the state is holding your money

CHARLOTTE — Unclaimed property from wages, utility deposits, insurance policies, etc. in the Carolinas is money that could belong to you.

It happens when a company loses track of you and turns your money over to the state for safekeeping.

North Carolina has approximately $798 million in unclaimed property. South Carolina has about $650 million, which is a total of $1.4 billion for the taking.

It’s free, and there's no time limit to claim your money. If the person passed away, his or her heirs get the cash.

Check to see if you have money waiting for you:

• North Carolina
• South Carolina

“We have over $1 million there that belongs to churches. We found over 100 habitats and food banks,” North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell told Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke. “So, it’s not just individuals, but there are a lot of nonprofits who are also hurting, Jason, who have money sitting at NCCash.com also.”

"There will be people who get checks because of what you’ve done now and it’s a material difference in their life," South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis said. "You cover stories all day long, I get that. But there are certain stories that you can change somebody’s life and, sometimes, $500 is what it takes to buy the food for the rest of the month. That comes from heaven."

Alice Sutton had no idea the state had her money until someone told her to look.

"I just jumped up and I was happy," she told Action 9's Jason Stoogenke. "I was really excited. I was really excited."

The state sent her a check for close to $4,700.

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