The $1,700 Rebate Most Americans Never Claim — rebate update

Checks are going unclaimed in nearly every state, and it has nothing to do with taxes. Buried in state treasuries across the country sits more than $70 billion in unclaimed money and property, according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. Some of it is forgotten rebates—money owed to you from class-action settlements, utility overcharges, insurance refunds, and old bank accounts. The average claim runs anywhere from a few hundred dollars to well over $1,000. In one recent sweep, a single state returned a record $309 million in a year, and officials say millions of residents still haven't checked. Here's the part that stings: most people don't know these rebates exist until someone tells them. **Why rebates get lost** A rebate is different from a discount. You pay full price, then the money comes back to you later—if you jump through the right hoops. That delay is exactly why so much goes missing. People move, change email addresses, or simply forget to cash a check that arrived months after a purchase. Companies love rebates for this reason. A study from the University of Maryland found that a significant share of rebate offers go unredeemed, and retailers count on it. When you never claim the money, they keep it. Then there are the rebates you never signed up for. Utility rebates for energy-efficient appliances. Tax rebates from state surplus funds. Settlement rebates from lawsuits you didn't know you were part of. These appear automatically—but only if the government or company can find you. **How to check in 10 minutes** You can search most of this from your couch. Here's the playbook: - **Start with MissingMoney.com**, run by the national association of state treasurers. Enter your name and state. It's free and legitimate. - **Check Unclaimed.org** for your state's official program. Every state has one, and none of them charge you to search. - **Search your old addresses**, not just your current one. Rebates follow the address on file, which is often years out of date. - **Look up your name under maiden and married versions**, plus common misspellings. - **Check for settlement rebates** at the FTC's refund page and major class-action administrator sites. If you find a match, you'll usually need to prove your identity with a Social Security number or old address. Processing takes a few weeks to a few months. Legitimate state programs never ask for a fee or a gift card to release your money—anyone who does is running a scam. **The rebate you might be leaving on the table right now** Beyond lost property, there's active money. Many utility companies offer rebates of $50 to $500 for smart thermostats, LED upgrades, and efficient appliances, but you have to apply within a certain window. Some states run sales-tax holidays on back-to-school or disaster supplies. And if you bought a product tied to a recent settlement—everything from certain appliances to batteries—there may be a claims window open this minute. Set a calendar reminder to check MissingMoney.com once a year, right alongside your tax filing. It takes minutes. **Our take** Rebates aren't free money—they're your money, held back and hoping you'll forget. The system is designed to profit from your inattention, and it works far too well. Spend ten minutes searching the databases today. If you find a check, cash it fast. If you don't, check again next year, because new money lands in those accounts every single day.