Scams going around · Text messages

Unclaimed money text scam

Pretends to be a state unclaimed property office or other government agency. A text or call says a government office is holding unclaimed money or property for you, and it may name an exact amount. It wants you to tap a link, share personal information or pay a "processing" fee to release the money.

An example of what it can look like

Not a real message: the details are made up.

(202) 555-0162
State Unclaimed Funds Center: You are eligible to claim $1,842.37 in unclaimed property. Your claim period has been extended just for you until 11:59 PM tonight. Pay a small processing fee to release your funds: state-funds-claim.example

How to tell

A text about unclaimed money arrives out of nowhere. State unclaimed property programs do not text people alerts about unclaimed property.
It uses a real-sounding government office name and names an exact amount you are supposedly owed.
It says time is running out, or that the claim period was extended just for you. The government won't pressure you to answer right away.
It asks for personal information, or for a "processing" fee to release the money. The government won't call or text asking you to pay to search for unclaimed money.

What to do

Don't tap the link, and don't reply to the text. If you already tapped it, close the page without typing anything.
Don't pay any fee, and don't give the sender any personal information.
Look for unclaimed money yourself. Type unclaimed.org/search into your web browser, the app you use to open websites. It helps you find your state's unclaimed property office. You can search there for free.
Report the text, then delete it.
Tell a friend about this scam, so they can spot it too.

If you already tapped, paid, called or replied

If you paid with a credit card, call the card company right away. If you paid with a debit card, call your bank or credit union. Use the number on the back of the card, and ask them to refund your money.
If you paid with a gift card, call the company that issued it right away. Use the number on the back of the card. Tell them a scammer tricked you, and ask them to refund your money. Keep the card and the receipt, if you have it.
If you paid with a payment app, such as Venmo, Cash App or PayPal, report it to the app right away. If you paid with Zelle or a bank transfer, report it right away to your bank or credit union. Ask them to reverse the payment and refund your money.
If you gave your Social Security number and someone has used it, report it at IdentityTheft.gov. If it hasn't been used, or you aren't sure, go to IdentityTheft.gov/databreach for steps to protect yourself.
If you typed a password into the page, go to that account yourself, not through the link. If you can still sign in, change it to a new, strong password. If you use the same password anywhere else, change it there too. Then turn on two-factor authentication, an extra check such as a code sent to your phone when you sign in.

How to check for real

Type unclaimed.org/search into your web browser yourself to find your state's official unclaimed property office, and search there for free. If you have lived in other states, check their offices too.

Where to report it

Report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Copy the text and forward it to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your cell phone company block similar messages.
In your messaging app, look for the option to report junk or spam.

Free guides that go with this

Check a message you got, free · Check a link

Where this comes from

Written from these official warnings, checked 2026-09-25. Lantern is not part of any organization named on this page.