Have unclaimed money? Here's how to get it back at Sayville event this month

Long Islanders who may have money languishing in old bank accounts, unused gift cards or uncashed checks can get help from the state reclaiming those funds.

Staff members of state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office will be at the Sayville Public Library on Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., offering guidance on how to access forgotten assets.

Gift cards, checks, bank accounts and other funds are legally considered abandoned property after a period of inactivity. There are more than $646 million in unclaimed funds in roughly 2.5 million accounts in Nassau County, and more than $503 million in nearly 2.6 million accounts in Suffolk County, according to the comptroller's searchable map. 

On Sunday, which is National Unclaimed Property Day, DiNapoli reminded New Yorkers of the annual series of public events and online resources where people find their forgotten money, even funds dating back to the 1940s.

"Spend a few minutes on Unclaimed Property Day checking for your lost money," DiNapoli said in a statement. "It’s free, easy, and the money is yours."

Last year, the state returned more than $580 million to New Yorkers. More than $35 million has been recovered already this year.

New Yorkers can enter their name and address into the comptroller’s unclaimed funds database to see if they have "abandoned" funds. They can then file a claim to have the money returned to them. For lost property totaling less than $250, there is a new, faster system launched last year, which reunites New Yorkers with their money with no form required, the statement said.

The office can also help people find unclaimed refunds and deposits at utility companies, the statement said.

Those who cannot attend the help session in Sayville can call the comptroller’s unclaimed property help line at 800-221-9311, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.