Unclaimed money text scam
These texts claim a state treasury or agency is holding unclaimed money for you and ask for a processing fee and your Social Security number.
How this scam works
Real unclaimed property is often real, which makes this believable. The scammer takes the fee and your identity details.
Common versions of the message
- Unclaimed funds in your name
- A deadline before they are forfeited
- A fee and your SSN to claim
What the message looks like
Text from +1 (555) 019-4406
State Treasury Notice: You have $1,874.22 in unclaimed funds. Claim before Friday or the funds will be forfeited. Pay the $39 processing fee and verify your SSN at http://unclaimed-funds-claim.top
Fictional example based on common, publicly reported scam patterns.
The red flags
- 1
Money waiting: “$1,874.22 in unclaimed funds”
Free money is the bait
The money is the bait.
- 2
Fee to claim: “Pay the $39 processing fee”
Real unclaimed property searches are free
Searching for and claiming unclaimed property through your state is free.
- 3
Asks for your SSN: “verify your SSN”
They want your identity
Your Social Security number in the wrong hands can be used for identity theft.
- 4
Not a state site: “unclaimed-funds-claim.top”
Real state sites end in .gov
Real state sites end in .gov.
What to do
- Do not tap the link or pay.
- Search for real unclaimed money for free at unclaimed.org, which links to each state's official site.
- Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) and delete it.
If you already replied, clicked, or paid
- If you entered your SSN, visit IdentityTheft.gov and consider a credit freeze.
- If you paid by card, call the number on your card.
- Watch for follow-up messages using the details you shared.
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