Where to start looking for accounts you may have opened
The fastest way to find bank accounts in your name is to check your own records first: old statements, tax documents, direct deposit information from employers, and emails from banks. Many people discover forgotten accounts this way—a savings account opened in college, a checking account at a bank that merged, or a money market account set up years ago.
If you have no records, contact the banks where you've done business in the past. Call their customer service line, have your Social Security number and identifying information ready, and ask whether any accounts exist under your name. Banks keep records for years, even if you haven't used the account recently.
For accounts you genuinely cannot locate, you may need to search more systematically. The methods below work for different situations—whether you're looking for your own accounts, accounts belonging to a deceased relative, or accounts that may have been opened fraudulently.
Key Takeaways
- Start with your own records: bank statements, tax forms, employer direct deposit information, and old emails from financial institutions.
- Contact banks directly using their customer service line with your Social Security number and identifying information to ask about existing accounts.
- The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) database searches for dormant accounts and unclaimed funds across multiple states.
- Credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion may show accounts you opened, though they focus on credit accounts rather than all deposit accounts.
- If you suspect fraud, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus.
Using the unclaimed property database to find dormant accounts
Every state maintains a database of unclaimed property—money in accounts that have been inactive for a set period (usually three to five years, depending on the state). The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) runs a free search tool called MissingMoney.com that searches across all participating states at once.
Go to MissingMoney.com, enter your name and the states where you've lived or worked, and search. If an account appears, the database tells you which state holds it and which financial institution it's with. You then contact that state's unclaimed property office to claim the funds. This process is free and takes several weeks.
This method works best for accounts you genuinely forgot about. Banks are required by law to report inactive accounts to the state, so if money is sitting untouched, it will show up here. However, active accounts—ones you use regularly or that have recent transactions—will not appear in this database.
Checking your credit reports for account history
Your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion list credit accounts you've opened: credit cards, loans, lines of credit. While these reports don't show every deposit account, they do show accounts you've applied for credit with, which can jog your memory about where you bank.
You can view your credit reports free once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site run by the three major credit bureaus. Each bureau's report may show different accounts, so check all three. Look for the addresses and account numbers listed—these can help you contact the right institution.
If you see accounts you don't recognize, that's a sign of potential fraud. In that case, move to the fraud steps below rather than trying to contact the bank directly.
What to do if you suspect fraudulent accounts
If you find accounts in your name that you did not open, do not contact the bank first. Instead, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC creates an Identity Theft Report, which is a legal document that helps you dispute fraudulent accounts.
After filing with the FTC, place a fraud alert with all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You can place a fraud alert by calling one bureau; they are required to notify the other two. The alert lasts one year and is free.
If the fraudulent account is actively being used, you may also want to place a credit freeze, which prevents any new accounts from being opened in your name without your permission. A freeze is stronger than an alert but requires you to unfreeze your credit if you want to open legitimate accounts yourself.
Contacting banks directly about accounts you partially remember
If you remember opening an account at a specific bank but can't find the statements, call that bank's customer service number (on their website or on the back of any card you have). Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready.
Tell the representative you're looking for any accounts under your name. They will verify your identity and search their system. If an account exists, they can tell you the account number, type, and current balance. If the account is inactive or dormant, they may ask whether you want to reactivate it or close it.
Some banks require you to visit a branch in person to access very old accounts or to make changes. Ask the representative whether you can handle it by phone or whether you need to go to a branch.
Searching for accounts at banks that have merged or closed
If you banked at an institution that no longer exists, the account may have been transferred to another bank during a merger. Search online for "[Bank Name] merger" to find out which institution acquired it. Then contact the acquiring bank with your information.
For example, if you had an account at Washington Mutual (which closed in 2008), those accounts were transferred to JPMorgan Chase. Contacting Chase with your old account information would help you locate it.
If you cannot find information about the merger online, call your state's banking regulator. Each state has a department of financial regulation or banking commissioner that keeps records of mergers and can tell you where your account went.
Finding accounts for a deceased person
If you're looking for accounts belonging to someone who has died, the process is similar but requires legal documentation. You will need a certified copy of the death certificate and proof that you have authority to access the account (such as being named executor in the will, or a court order).
Start by searching the unclaimed property database using the deceased person's name. Then contact banks where they may have had accounts. You will need to provide the death certificate and your legal authority before the bank will discuss the account with you.
If the person left no will or you cannot locate accounts, you may need to work with a probate attorney. They can file court motions to discover accounts and access them on behalf of the estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I learn about someone opened a bank account in my name without my permission?
Yes. Check your credit reports first—they may show accounts you don't recognize. If you find fraudulent accounts, file a report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus. The FTC report gives you legal standing to dispute the accounts with the bank.
How long does it take to recover money from an unclaimed property account?
It varies by state, but typically four to eight weeks after you submit your claim to the state's unclaimed property office. Some states process faster; others take longer. The state will contact you with a timeline once your claim is received.
What if a bank says the account doesn't exist but I have an old statement?
Ask the bank how far back their records go—some systems only retain data for seven to ten years. If your statement is older than that, the account may have been closed and purged from their active system. Ask whether they can search their archive or refer you to a records department.
Do I need a lawyer to find accounts belonging to a deceased relative?
Not always. If you're the executor named in the will, you can contact banks directly with the death certificate and will. You only need a lawyer if the person left no will, if accounts are contested, or if you need a court order to access them.
Will searching for my own accounts hurt my credit score?
No. Searching your own credit reports or contacting banks directly does not affect your credit score. Only hard inquiries from lenders (when you explore for credit) impact your score.