Missing money? Reclaim it at these Long Island events in April

Do you have unclaimed funds — money you're owed but may not realize it?

The office of state comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said Monday there are almost 5.3 million unclaimed accounts — old bank accounts, uncashed checks, stock certificates; even unused gift cards — right now in Nassau and Suffolk alone worth more than $1.15 billion.

And, the state wants to help you get it back.

This month, the state's Office of Unclaimed Funds will hold live, in-person community events in Nassau and Suffolk to help Long Islanders recover the money they're owed.

"Everyone loses something, even money," DiNapoli said in a statement. "We're returning more than $2 million a day to New Yorkers, and my office is working to make it easier than ever to reclaim it."

Since January, the comptroller's office has returned almost $163 million in previously unclaimed money to New Yorkers.

Are you owed some of what's left?

The events will be at the following locations:

• The Floral Park Library on April 15 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• The Long Island Home Show at Nassau Coliseum on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and April 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Huntington Public Library on April 21 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
• The Northport-East Northport Public Library on April 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Residents who cannot make it to an event can search the online database for potential unclaimed funds here or by calling 1-800-221-9311.

For Queens residents, an event will be held at the Queens Public Library in Hollis Hills on April 14 from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.

The comptroller's office notes that after a period of inactivity, lost funds are legally considered to be abandoned property — and are turned over to the comptroller's office. However, once there, there's no fee or time limit to claim it.

Ownership records will need to be verified before any distribution is made, the comptroller's office said.

But, the office said, records are updated daily and, as a note on the official state comptroller's office website said, "so check back often" to see if the office is "holding money" belonging to you, your business, family or friends.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.