Unclaimed Property Search: Country-by-Country Guide to Finding Lost Assets
全球無人認領財產搜尋：國家逐一指南助您尋回失落資產
Governments worldwide hold over US$200 billion in unclaimed property — forgotten bank accounts, lost shares, uncashed cheques, and abandoned insurance policies. This comprehensive guide covers 14 countries and regions with official search tools, real statistics, and step-by-step claim procedures.
全球各國政府持有超過 2,000 億美元的無人認領財產——被遺忘的銀行帳戶、遺失的股票、未兌現的支票和被廢棄的保險單。本全面指南涵蓋 14 個國家和地區的官方搜尋工具、真實統計數據和逐步申領程序。
Table of Contents
- Introduction: The Scale of Unclaimed Property Worldwide
- Hong Kong
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- Singapore
- Macau
- Taiwan
- New Zealand
- Ireland
- Switzerland
- Germany
- France
- Netherlands
- How Assets Get Lost: Common Causes
- Tips for a Successful Global Search
- Quick Reference Summary Table
1. Introduction: The Scale of Unclaimed Property Worldwide
Across the globe, governments and financial institutions are custodians of an estimated US$200 billion or more in unclaimed funds. These are not hypothetical numbers — they represent real bank accounts, insurance payouts, pension benefits, share dividends, and refunds that belong to real people or their heirs, sitting uncollected in government vaults and corporate ledgers.
The reasons assets become "lost" are surprisingly mundane: people move and forget to update their addresses, relatives die without telling anyone about their accounts, companies merge and rename, or emigrants leave a country without closing all their financial ties. Over time, these accounts go dormant, and after a statutory period, the funds are transferred to government custodians.
The good news is that most countries have created official search tools that allow you — or your family — to look up unclaimed property for free. This guide is the most comprehensive English-Chinese reference available, covering every major jurisdiction where Hong Kong families commonly have ties.
Hong Kong's unique history of emigration waves (1990s handover, 2019-2025 political changes) means that hundreds of thousands of families have financial ties across multiple countries — the UK, Canada, Australia, the USA, and beyond. A deceased relative who emigrated decades ago may have left behind forgotten accounts in any of these jurisdictions.
2. Hong Kong
Government Agency
Hong Kong does not have a centralized unclaimed property register like the USA or Australia. Instead, dormant accounts and unclaimed deposits are handled individually by each authorized institution (bank, insurer, broker) under guidelines from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).
For deceased estates with no will and no traceable next of kin, unclaimed property passes to the government as bona vacantia (ownerless property) under the Probate and Administration Ordinance.
Key Agencies and Resources
Oversees bank handling of dormant accounts. Issued circular in November 2021 setting expectations for authorized institutions.
You can enquire about dormant accounts through individual member banks.
Handles bona vacantia — estates with no will and no traceable heirs.
Tracks MPF accounts. Use the eMPF platform to search for accounts from past employers.
What Types of Assets Are Tracked
- Bank savings and current accounts (dormant after 12-24 months of inactivity depending on the bank)
- Fixed deposits
- Safe deposit box contents
- MPF (Mandatory Provident Fund) retirement savings
- Insurance policy payouts
- Unclaimed dividends from listed companies
- Government refunds (tax, utilities, deposits)
How Much Is Unclaimed
Hong Kong does not publish consolidated statistics on unclaimed assets. However, in a South China Morning Post report, the government accumulated more than HK$62 million in bona vacantia (ownerless estates) over a five-year period. The true figure across all banks and institutions is believed to be significantly higher, but bank data on dormant accounts is classified.
How to Search and Claim
Contact each bank directly. There is no central search. Write to the estate management or dormant accounts department of every major bank: HSBC, Hang Seng, Bank of China (HK), Standard Chartered, DBS, ICBC, Citibank, and others.
Search for MPF accounts. Log in to the eMPF Platform at empf.org.hk or call the MPFA hotline at 2918 0102.
Check with the Companies Registry for unclaimed dividends from any shareholdings in Hong Kong-listed companies.
Provide documentation: Death certificate, proof of relationship, Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, and your identification.
When searching for a deceased relative's accounts in Hong Kong, check old correspondence, bank books, ATM cards, and mail. Many elderly Hong Kong residents kept passbook savings accounts that can be decades old. Also check for utility deposit refunds from CLP Power, HK Electric, and Water Supplies Department.
3. United States
Government Agency
In the USA, unclaimed property is managed at the state level. Each of the 50 states, plus Washington D.C. and U.S. territories, has its own unclaimed property office — typically the State Treasurer or State Comptroller. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) coordinates across states.
Official Search Websites
NAUPA's official multi-state search engine. Search all participating states at once — free of charge.
Official information hub with links to every state's individual search portal.
Federal government portal explaining all types of unclaimed money including tax refunds, savings bonds, FHA refunds, and pension benefits.
Search for matured, unredeemed U.S. savings bonds.
Types of Assets Tracked
- Dormant bank accounts (savings, checking, CDs)
- Uncashed payroll and cashier's cheques
- Abandoned safe deposit box contents
- Insurance policy payouts and annuities
- Unclaimed stock dividends and mutual fund accounts
- Utility deposits and refunds
- Unredeemed U.S. savings bonds
- Court deposits and legal settlements
- Uncashed tax refund cheques
How Much Is Unclaimed
According to NAUPA and CNBC, approximately 1 in 7 Americans have unclaimed property, totalling an estimated US$70 billion held by state treasurers. In fiscal year 2023-2024, Unclaimed Property Programs returned US$4.49 billion to rightful owners. Pennsylvania alone returned a record US$334.1 million in 2025.
State-by-State Highlights
| State | Search Portal | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| New York | osc.ny.gov | Largest unclaimed property holdings in the U.S. |
| California | ucpi.sco.ca.gov | Over US$10 billion in unclaimed property |
| Texas | claimittexas.org | US$8+ billion unclaimed |
| Pennsylvania | patreasury.gov | Returned record US$334.1M in 2025 |
| Florida | fltreasurehunt.gov | Popular for retirees with dormant accounts |
| Illinois | icash.illinois.gov | Over US$3.5 billion in unclaimed assets |
How to File a Claim
Search MissingMoney.com using your name, previous names, and addresses. Also search individually in any state where you (or your deceased relative) lived, worked, or had financial accounts.
File a claim online. Each state has its own form. You will typically need government-issued ID and proof of address.
For deceased relatives, you will also need the death certificate, proof of your relationship, and in some states, probate documents or a small estate affidavit.
Wait for processing. Most states process claims within 60-90 days. There is no fee to search or claim — beware of third-party companies charging a percentage.
Searching for unclaimed property is always free through official government websites. Never pay a "finder's fee" to search. Some companies charge 10-35% of the value to file claims you can easily do yourself. The official NAUPA search at MissingMoney.com is completely free.
4. United Kingdom
Government Agency
The UK's unclaimed assets framework involves multiple agencies. The Dormant Assets Scheme, established by the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Act 2008 (expanded in 2022), transfers funds from accounts inactive for 15+ years to good causes — while preserving the owner's right to reclaim at any time.
Official Search Resources
Free service run by UK Finance, Building Societies Association, and National Savings & Investments to trace lost bank/building society accounts and NS&I products.
Free government service to find lost workplace and personal pensions.
Trace lost Premium Bonds, savings certificates, and other NS&I products.
Trace shares from demutualisation (e.g., old building society shares converted to bank shares).
Types of Assets Tracked
- Dormant bank and building society accounts
- Lost workplace and personal pensions
- Premium Bonds and NS&I products
- Unclaimed insurance policies and annuities
- Shares from building society demutualisation
- Unclaimed court funds (Court Funds Office)
- Unclaimed ISA accounts
- Unclaimed estates (bona vacantia)
How Much Is Unclaimed
Estimates range from £15 billion to £50 billion in total unclaimed financial assets in the UK, depending on the source. There are an estimated 3.3 million lost pension pots worth a combined £31.1 billion, with an average value of £9,500 each. The Dormant Assets Scheme has so far transferred over £1 billion to social causes, with a further £880 million potentially available.
How to Claim
Search My Lost Account (mylostaccount.org.uk) — enter the account holder's name and previous addresses. This covers banks, building societies, and NS&I.
Use the Pension Tracing Service on GOV.UK — enter previous employer names to find lost pension schemes.
Check the Unclaimed Estates List on GOV.UK for bona vacantia — estates of people who died without a will or known kin.
Contact institutions directly with the death certificate, Grant of Probate, and proof of entitlement.
Over 191,000 BN(O) visas have been granted to Hong Kong residents since the UK pathway opened. If you or a family member has emigrated to the UK, make sure to track all pension contributions from UK employment. With frequent job changes, pension pots can easily get lost — 1 in 20 UK workers has a lost pension.
5. Australia
Government Agency
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is the primary agency for unclaimed superannuation (retirement savings). For other unclaimed money, ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) handles unclaimed bank accounts, shares, and life insurance.
Official Search Websites
Search for lost or unclaimed superannuation via your myGov account linked to the ATO.
my.gov.au (link to ATO) | ATO Lost Super
Search for unclaimed bank accounts, shares, life insurance policies, and managed investments.
Types of Assets Tracked
- Lost and unclaimed superannuation (retirement savings)
- Dormant bank accounts (inactive for 7+ years with balance under A$500, or 3+ years over A$500)
- Unclaimed life insurance proceeds
- Shares and debentures
- Managed investment funds
- Trust money
How Much Is Unclaimed
As of June 2025, the ATO reports A$18.9 billion in lost and unclaimed superannuation across nearly 7.3 million accounts. Of this, approximately A$6.2 billion is held by the ATO directly, and A$12.7 billion remains in funds. The average lost super account contains about A$2,950. Since 2022, the ATO has reunited approximately 3.1 million accounts worth almost A$5.5 billion.
Some individuals have recovered life-changing amounts — one Melbourne man in his 70s recovered over A$100,000, and a Queensland woman found more than A$500,000 in a forgotten super account.
How to Claim
Log in to myGov and link to the ATO. Navigate to "Super" then "Manage" then "Find lost super." You can also call the ATO on 13 28 65.
Search ASIC's MoneySmart for unclaimed bank accounts, shares, and insurance.
For deceased estates, the legal personal representative (executor or administrator) can search on behalf of the deceased. You'll need a death certificate, Grant of Probate, and your own ID.
Consolidate super accounts — if multiple accounts are found, consolidate them through myGov to avoid paying multiple sets of fees.
If your relative lived or worked in Australia at any point — even for a short period — they almost certainly accumulated superannuation. It is compulsory for all employers to contribute to super, even for temporary workers. Check even for short-term employment periods.
6. Canada
Government Agency
The Bank of Canada is the primary custodian of unclaimed bank balances from federally regulated financial institutions. Provinces may also have their own unclaimed property programs.
Official Search Websites
Search for dormant bank accounts transferred to the Bank of Canada after 10 years of inactivity.
Check for unclaimed RRSP/RRIF balances, tax refunds, and benefits through the Canada Revenue Agency.
Check CPP (Canada Pension Plan) and OAS (Old Age Security) entitlements.
Types of Assets Tracked
- Dormant bank accounts (savings, chequing, GICs, term deposits)
- Unclaimed CPP and OAS pension benefits
- Unclaimed RRSP/RRIF balances
- Tax refund cheques
- Unclaimed insurance benefits
- Provincial unclaimed property (varies by province)
How Much Is Unclaimed
The Bank of Canada holds approximately C$1.8 billion in unclaimed bank balances across 3.4 million untouched accounts (as of end 2024). Balances under C$1,000 are held for 30 years; balances of C$1,000 or more are held for 100 years.
How to Claim
Search the Bank of Canada database at unclaimedproperties.bankofcanada.ca using name, city, and province.
Submit a claim with government-issued photo ID and proof of address. For deceased persons, include the death certificate and proof of entitlement (will or Letters of Administration).
Check provincial programs — British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec have their own unclaimed property registries.
7. Japan
Government Agency
Japan's dormant deposit system is governed by the Dormant Deposit Utilization Act (passed December 2016). The Japan Network for Public Interest Activities (JANPIA) oversees the use of dormant deposits for social welfare activities. Individual banks handle the initial dormancy process.
Key Resources
Oversees dormant deposit fund allocation. Individuals reclaim directly from their bank.
Track pension records and check entitlements through the "Nenkin Net" online portal.
Types of Assets Tracked
- Bank deposits dormant for 10+ years
- Pension contributions (National Pension, Employees' Pension)
- Postal savings
- Insurance policies
How Much Is Unclaimed
Approximately ¥120 billion (about US$800 million) in bank deposits become dormant each year in Japan. Of this, roughly ¥50 billion is reclaimed by original owners, leaving approximately ¥70 billion unclaimed annually. Historically, about 11.5 million accounts worth ¥105 billion became dormant each year between 2010 and 2013.
How to Claim
Contact the original bank directly with your bankbook, identification, and registered seal (hanko). Even after funds are transferred to the JANPIA system, you can still reclaim them through the bank.
For pensions, use the "Nenkin Net" online service or visit any Japan Pension Service branch office. The website supports 14 languages including English and Chinese.
If the bankbook is lost, bring your ID and registered seal to the bank for reissue. For pension handbooks, apply for reissue at a JPS branch or local municipal office.
8. Singapore
Government Agency
The Accountant-General's Department (AGD) and the Public Trustee's Office (PTO) under the Ministry of Law handle unclaimed money in Singapore. The Central Provident Fund Board (CPFB) manages CPF savings.
Official Search Websites
Central government portal to search for unclaimed money held by various government agencies.
Distributes deceased persons' CPF savings and other estate monies when there is no nomination or will.
Manage CPF accounts and check nominations. CPF savings are not automatically inherited.
Types of Assets Tracked
- Un-nominated CPF savings of deceased persons
- Unclaimed insurance proceeds
- Tax refunds
- Levy bonds and immigration deposits
- Dormant bank accounts
- Court-held monies
How Much Is Unclaimed
A total of S$211 million has been left unclaimed with the Public Trustee's Office. Of this, CPF savings contributed S$132 million, with the remainder comprising tax refunds, levy bonds, and immigration deposits. Alarmingly, 2 in 5 CPF members who passed away before age 65 in 2023 had no CPF nomination, meaning their savings go through the slower, fee-deducting PTO process.
How to Claim
Search the Unclaimed Monies Portal at unclaimedmonies.gov.sg.
For CPF of a deceased person, if there is a CPF nomination, the CPF Board distributes directly to nominees within about 5 weeks. Without a nomination, it goes to the PTO, which takes up to 6 months and deducts a fee.
Submit documentation to the PTO: death certificate, ID of claimant, proof of relationship, and any court orders if applicable.
9. Macau
Overview
Macau does not have a centralized unclaimed property database comparable to those in the USA, UK, or Australia. Dormant bank accounts are handled by individual banks under the regulatory oversight of the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM).
Key Resources
Supervises banking institutions and may provide guidance on dormant accounts.
Manages Macau's social security pension system.
How to Search
Contact banks directly. Major banks operating in Macau include Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU), Bank of China Macau, Tai Fung Bank, ICBC Macau, and HSBC Macau. Bring identification and any old bank records. For deceased estates, a probate grant from the Macau courts or a Hong Kong grant (with re-sealing) is typically required.
10. Taiwan
Overview
Taiwan does not have a single centralized unclaimed property search tool. Dormant accounts fall under the regulation of the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), and individual banks manage dormant accounts internally.
Key Resources
Regulates banks and financial institutions in Taiwan.
Manages Taiwan's Labor Insurance and Labor Pension programs.
Oversees the New Labor Pension system (similar to MPF).
How to Search
Contact individual banks directly. For pension-related queries, access the Bureau of Labor Insurance's online services with a Citizen Digital Certificate or via the National Health Insurance card. For deceased estates, a Taiwan court probate order is typically required.
11. New Zealand
Government Agency
Inland Revenue (IR) manages New Zealand's unclaimed money register under the Unclaimed Money Act 1971.
Official Search Website
Search by person or organisation name. Available through myIR or the public search tool.
Types of Assets Tracked
- Dormant bank accounts
- Unclaimed insurance proceeds
- Unclaimed dividends
- Trust funds
- Deceased estate distributions
How Much Is Unclaimed
More than 415,000 New Zealanders are owed a total of NZ$477 million in unclaimed funds held by Inland Revenue. Money stays in the database for up to 25 years — if not claimed within that time, it is removed and no further claims can be made.
How to Claim
Search the IRD database at ird.govt.nz/unclaimedmoney using the person's name.
Apply through myIR (if you have an account) or complete a claim form. You'll need proof of identity and evidence of entitlement.
12. Ireland
Government Agency
Ireland's National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) manages the Dormant Accounts Fund, which receives funds from dormant bank accounts and unclaimed life insurance policies.
Key Resources
Managed by the NTMA. Money from accounts dormant for 15+ years is transferred here, but owners retain the right to reclaim at any time.
Provides an Unclaimed Insurance Policy Enquiry Form to search for unclaimed life assurance policies.
Types of Assets Tracked
- Dormant bank and building society accounts (15+ years inactive)
- Unclaimed life assurance policies (5 years after term ends, per the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003)
- An Post savings products
How to Claim
Contact your bank or insurance provider directly. Even after funds have been transferred to the NTMA Dormant Accounts Fund, you retain the right to claim the full amount at any time. For unclaimed life insurance, use Insurance Ireland's Enquiry Form.
13. Switzerland
Government Agency
Switzerland's dormant assets are managed under the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) guidelines and the Swiss Banking Act. The Swiss Banking Ombudsman provides a centralised search service.
Official Search Resources
Since 1996, this office has offered centralised searches for dormant assets across all Swiss banks. You can submit a search request.
Published list of dormant accounts meeting the publication threshold (over CHF 500, dormant for 60+ years).
Types of Assets Tracked
- Dormant bank accounts (savings, current, deposit accounts)
- Safe deposit box contents
- Securities and investment accounts
- Insurance policies
How Much Is Unclaimed
Some 2,600 dormant Swiss bank accounts were published online following a 2015 law change. Analysts estimate all dormant accounts in Switzerland contain at least CHF 2 billion (approximately US$2.3 billion). Accounts are published after being without contact for 10 years and dormant for another 50 years — a total of 60 years of no contact.
How to Claim
Submit a search request to the Swiss Banking Ombudsman at bankingombudsman.ch. There is a fee of CHF 100 for the search.
Check dormantaccounts.ch for the published list of accounts dormant for 60+ years.
Provide proof of identity and proof of relationship to the account holder (for heirs). This may include inheritance documents and apostilled death certificates.
14. Germany
Overview
Germany does not currently have a centralized government database for unclaimed bank accounts. The Association of German Banks has stated there is no plan to change the current practice for dormant accounts. This makes Germany one of the more challenging countries for asset searches.
How to Search
Write to each German bank where the deceased may have held accounts. The German Banking Industry Committee (GBIC) can help identify relevant banks.
BaFin can confirm whether a specific financial institution is still operating or has been merged/acquired.
Germany's statutory pension insurance. Check for unclaimed pension entitlements.
Important Notes
In Germany, banks may charge dormancy fees that can eventually reduce a balance to zero. There is no escheatment law — banks retain dormant balances indefinitely rather than transferring them to the state. For estate searches, a German Erbschein (certificate of inheritance) is typically required.
15. France
Government Agency
France has a modern, centralized search platform called Ciclade, operated by the Caisse des Depots et Consignations (CDC). The Eckert Law (2014) strengthened requirements for banks and insurers to identify and report dormant accounts.
Official Search Website
The only official online service for finding unclaimed sums from banks and insurance companies in France. Free to search and claim.
Types of Assets Tracked
- Dormant bank accounts (inactive for 10 years, or 3 years after the account holder's death)
- Unclaimed life insurance policies
- Savings accounts (Livret A, PEL, etc.)
How to Claim
Search Ciclade at ciclade.caissedesdepots.fr using the account holder's name and date of birth.
Submit a claim with identity documents. The Caisse des Depots keeps money for 20 years (or 27 years for life insurance).
Act quickly: After 30 years of dormancy, the money is irreversibly transferred to the French State. No further claims can be made.
Unlike some countries where you can claim at any time, France has a hard 30-year deadline from when the account became dormant. After this, funds are permanently transferred to the State.
16. Netherlands
Overview
The Netherlands does not have a single centralized unclaimed property database. However, significant amounts of unclaimed pension money exist. The three largest pension funds — ABP (civil service), PFZW (healthcare), and PMT (engineering) — hold a combined €350 million in unclaimed pensions and are actively searching for 100,000 missing participants.
Key Resources
Check all your Dutch pension entitlements in one place (requires DigiD).
Pension fund for government and education employees — the largest in the Netherlands.
Maintains a register of all pension funds in the Netherlands.
How to Search
If you worked in the Netherlands at any point, check mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl with your DigiD. If you no longer have a DigiD (common for emigrants), contact individual pension funds directly with proof of identity and your Dutch BSN (citizen service number).
17. How Assets Get Lost: Common Causes
Understanding why assets become unclaimed helps you know where to look. Here are the most common causes worldwide:
Emigration
The number one reason for Hong Kong families. When people emigrate, they often close their main accounts but forget about small savings accounts, fixed deposits that haven't matured, insurance policies, MPF/pension accounts, utility deposits, and tax refunds. Over time, these accounts go dormant.
Job Changes
Each time you change employers, a new pension/retirement account may be created. Over a 40-year career with 5-10 employer changes, pension pots accumulate and get forgotten — especially if the employer changes names or gets acquired.
Death Without Records
When someone dies without leaving a comprehensive list of their assets, family members may not know about all accounts. This is especially common with elderly relatives who banked at multiple institutions over decades.
Address Changes
Moving house without updating all financial institutions. After several years without contact, the institution classifies the account as dormant. Mail gets returned, and the link to the account holder is lost.
Company Mergers and Closures
When banks, insurers, or employers merge or close, accounts may be transferred to successor institutions without the account holder knowing. Pension plans from closed companies are particularly vulnerable.
Name Changes
Marriage, divorce, or transliteration differences (common with Chinese names) can cause records to be mismatched. "Chan Tai Man" at one bank might be "Chen Daiman" at another.
18. Tips for a Successful Global Search
19. Quick Reference Summary Table
| Country | Central Search Tool | Estimated Unclaimed | Key URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | No (contact banks individually) | Unknown (HK$62M+ bona vacantia) | mpfa.org.hk / empf.org.hk |
| USA | Yes — MissingMoney.com | US$70 billion | missingmoney.com |
| UK | Yes — My Lost Account | £15-50 billion | mylostaccount.org.uk |
| Australia | Yes — ATO / ASIC MoneySmart | A$18.9 billion (super alone) | my.gov.au / moneysmart.gov.au |
| Canada | Yes — Bank of Canada | C$1.8 billion | unclaimedproperties.bankofcanada.ca |
| Japan | No (contact banks; Nenkin for pensions) | ¥70 billion/year | nenkin.go.jp/international |
| Singapore | Yes — unclaimedmonies.gov.sg | S$211 million | unclaimedmonies.gov.sg |
| Macau | No | Unknown | amcm.gov.mo |
| Taiwan | No | Unknown | fsc.gov.tw |
| New Zealand | Yes — IRD | NZ$477 million | ird.govt.nz/unclaimedmoney |
| Ireland | Partial (via banks + NTMA) | Unknown | ntma.ie |
| Switzerland | Yes — Banking Ombudsman | CHF 2 billion+ | bankingombudsman.ch |
| Germany | No | Unknown | bafin.de |
| France | Yes — Ciclade | Unknown | ciclade.caissedesdepots.fr |
| Netherlands | Partial — Mijn Pensioenoverzicht | €350M (pensions) | mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl |
Final Thoughts
The scale of unclaimed property worldwide is staggering — hundreds of billions of dollars sitting in government vaults and financial institutions, waiting for rightful owners or their heirs to come forward. For Hong Kong families with international ties, a systematic search across multiple countries can yield surprising results.
The most important thing to remember: every official search tool listed in this guide is free to use. You never need to pay for a search. If you find assets and need help navigating the claims process — especially across multiple jurisdictions — that is where professional help from an asset recovery service like AssetCadet can save you time, stress, and costly mistakes.
Start your search today. The money is there. It just needs to be found.
1. 引言：全球無人認領財產的規模
在全球各地，政府和金融機構保管著估計超過 2,000 億美元的無人認領資金。這些並非假設性的數字——它們代表著真實的銀行帳戶、保險賠付、養老金福利、股票股息和退款，屬於真實的人或其繼承人，卻無人認領地存放在政府金庫和公司帳簿中。
資產成為「遺失」的原因出人意料地普通：人們搬家後忘記更新地址、親屬去世時沒有告訴任何人他們的帳戶、公司合併和更名，或者移民離開一個國家時沒有關閉所有的金融帳戶。隨著時間推移，這些帳戶變為休眠狀態，經過法定期限後，資金被轉移給政府保管。
好消息是，大多數國家都創建了官方搜尋工具，讓您或您的家人能夠免費查詢無人認領的財產。本指南是最全面的英中雙語參考資料，涵蓋了香港家庭通常有聯繫的每個主要司法管轄區。
香港獨特的移民潮歷史（1990年代回歸、2019-2025年政治變化）意味著數十萬家庭在多個國家擁有金融聯繫——英國、加拿大、澳洲、美國等。一位數十年前移民的已故親屬可能在任何這些司法管轄區留下了被遺忘的帳戶。
2. 香港
政府機構
香港沒有像美國或澳洲那樣的集中式無人認領財產登記冊。相反，休眠帳戶和無人認領的存款由每家授權機構（銀行、保險公司、經紀商）在香港金融管理局（HKMA）的指引下個別處理。
對於沒有遺囑且找不到下一個親屬的已故遺產，無人認領的財產將作為無主財產（bona vacantia）根據《遺囑認證及遺產管理條例》轉移給政府。
主要機構和資源
- 金管局（HKMA）：監督銀行處理休眠帳戶。2021年11月發出通告，對授權機構設定期望。網址：hkma.gov.hk
- 香港銀行公會（HKAB）：可透過各成員銀行查詢休眠帳戶。網址：hkab.org.hk
- 破產管理署：處理無主財產——無遺囑或無可追蹤繼承人的遺產。網址：oro.gov.hk
- 積金局（MPFA）：追蹤強積金帳戶。使用 eMPF 平台搜尋前僱主的帳戶。網址：mpfa.org.hk | empf.org.hk
追蹤的資產類型
- 銀行儲蓄和往來帳戶（視乎銀行而定，閒置12-24個月後變為休眠）
- 定期存款
- 保管箱內容
- 強積金（MPF）退休儲蓄
- 保險單賠付
- 上市公司未領取的股息
- 政府退款（稅款、公用事業、按金）
無人認領金額
香港不公佈無人認領資產的綜合統計數據。然而，據《南華早報》報導，政府在五年內累積了超過6,200萬港元的無主財產。各銀行和機構的真實數字據信遠高於此，但銀行的休眠帳戶數據屬機密。
搜尋和索償方法
- 直接聯繫每家銀行。沒有中央搜尋系統。致函每家主要銀行的遺產管理或休眠帳戶部門：滙豐、恒生、中銀香港、渣打、星展、工銀、花旗等。
- 搜尋強積金帳戶。登入 eMPF 平台（empf.org.hk）或致電積金局熱線 2918 0102。
- 向公司註冊處查詢任何在香港上市公司持股的未領取股息。
- 提供文件：死亡證明書、親屬關係證明、遺囑認證書或遺產管理書，以及您的身份證明文件。
在香港搜尋已故親屬的帳戶時，請檢查舊信件、銀行存摺、提款卡和郵件。許多年長的香港居民持有可能已有數十年歷史的存摺儲蓄帳戶。同時檢查中電、港燈和水務署的公用事業按金退款。
3. 美國
政府機構
在美國，無人認領財產在州級管理。全部50個州加上華盛頓特區和美國領地，各有自己的無人認領財產辦公室——通常是州財務長或州審計長。全國無人認領財產管理協會（NAUPA）在各州之間協調。
官方搜尋網站
- MissingMoney.com：NAUPA 的官方多州搜尋引擎。一次搜尋所有參與州——完全免費。網址：missingmoney.com
- NAUPA / Unclaimed.org：官方資訊中心，附有每個州個別搜尋入口的連結。網址：unclaimed.org/search
- USAGov：聯邦政府入口，說明所有類型的無人認領資金，包括退稅、儲蓄債券、FHA退款和養老金福利。網址：usa.gov/unclaimed-money
- TreasuryDirect：搜尋已到期、未贖回的美國儲蓄債券。網址：treasurydirect.gov
無人認領金額
據 NAUPA 和 CNBC 報導，約七分之一的美國人擁有無人認領的財產，各州財務長持有的總額估計達 700 億美元。在 2023-2024 財政年度，無人認領財產計劃向合法所有者歸還了 44.9 億美元。僅賓夕法尼亞州在 2025 年就歸還了創紀錄的 3.341 億美元。
通過官方政府網站搜尋無人認領財產永遠是免費的。切勿支付「查找費」來搜尋。一些公司收取索償價值的10-35%來提交您自己可以輕鬆完成的索償。MissingMoney.com 的官方 NAUPA 搜尋完全免費。
4. 英國
政府機構
英國的無人認領資產框架涉及多個機構。休眠資產計劃（根據2008年《休眠銀行和建屋互助社帳戶法》設立，2022年擴展）將閒置15年以上帳戶的資金轉移給公益事業——同時保留所有者隨時索回的權利。
搜尋資源
- My Lost Account：免費服務，用於追蹤遺失的銀行/建屋互助社帳戶和 NS&I 產品。網址：mylostaccount.org.uk
- 養老金追蹤服務：免費政府服務，用於尋找遺失的工作場所和個人養老金。網址：gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details
- NS&I（國家儲蓄與投資）：追蹤遺失的優質債券、儲蓄證書和其他 NS&I 產品。網址：nsandi.com
無人認領金額
估計英國無人認領的金融資產總額在 150 億至 500 億英鎊之間。估計有 330 萬個遺失的養老金帳戶，合計價值 311 億英鎊，平均每個價值 9,500 英鎊。休眠資產計劃迄今已向社會事業轉移超過 10 億英鎊。
自英國通道開放以來，已向香港居民發放了超過 191,000 張 BN(O) 簽證。如果您或家人已移民英國，請確保追蹤英國就業的所有養老金供款。頻繁轉工意味著養老金帳戶容易遺失——每20名英國工人中就有1人有遺失的養老金。
5. 澳洲
政府機構
澳洲稅務局（ATO）是無人認領退休公積金（退休儲蓄）的主要機構。對於其他無人認領的資金，澳洲證券及投資委員會（ASIC）處理無人認領的銀行帳戶、股票和人壽保險。
搜尋網站
- ATO — 遺失退休公積金搜尋：通過連結至 ATO 的 myGov 帳戶搜尋遺失或無人認領的退休公積金。網址：my.gov.au
- ASIC — MoneySmart 無人認領資金搜尋：搜尋無人認領的銀行帳戶、股票、人壽保險單和管理投資。網址：moneysmart.gov.au/find-unclaimed-money
無人認領金額
截至2025年6月，ATO 報告有 189 億澳元的遺失和無人認領退休公積金，分佈在近 730 萬個帳戶中。其中約 62 億澳元由 ATO 直接持有，127 億澳元仍在基金中。平均遺失退休公積金帳戶約含 2,950 澳元。自 2022 年以來，ATO 已歸還約 310 萬個帳戶，價值近 55 億澳元。
一些個人已追回改變生活的金額——一位70多歲的墨爾本男子追回了超過 10 萬澳元，一位昆士蘭女子在遺忘的退休公積金帳戶中找到了超過 50 萬澳元。
如果您的親屬曾在澳洲生活或工作過——即使只是短期——他們幾乎肯定累積了退休公積金。所有僱主必須為退休公積金供款，即使是臨時工也不例外。即使是短期就業期也要檢查。
6. 加拿大
政府機構
加拿大銀行是聯邦監管金融機構無人認領銀行結餘的主要保管人。各省也可能有自己的無人認領財產計劃。
搜尋網站
- 加拿大銀行——無人認領結餘：搜尋閒置10年後轉移至加拿大銀行的休眠銀行帳戶。網址：unclaimedproperties.bankofcanada.ca
- CRA My Account：通過加拿大稅務局檢查無人認領的 RRSP/RRIF 餘額、退稅和福利。
- Service Canada (MSCA)：檢查 CPP（加拿大退休金計劃）和 OAS（老年保障）的權益。
無人認領金額
加拿大銀行持有約 18 億加元的無人認領銀行結餘，涵蓋 340 萬個未動用帳戶（截至2024年底）。低於 1,000 加元的結餘保留 30 年；1,000 加元或以上的結餘保留 100 年。
7. 日本
政府機構
日本的休眠存款制度受《休眠存款利用法》（2016年12月通過）管轄。JANPIA 監督休眠存款用於社會福利活動。個別銀行處理初始休眠程序。
無人認領金額
日本每年約有 1,200 億日圓（約 8 億美元）的銀行存款變為休眠。其中約 500 億日圓由原始所有者收回，約 700 億日圓每年仍無人認領。
索償方法
- 直接聯繫原始銀行，帶上存摺、身份證明和登記印章。即使資金已轉移至 JANPIA 系統，您仍可通過銀行索回。
- 養老金方面，使用「年金Net」網上服務或前往任何日本年金服務分處。網站支援14種語言，包括英語和中文。網址：nenkin.go.jp/international
8. 新加坡
政府機構
會計總署（AGD）和律政部下的公共受託人辦公室（PTO）處理新加坡的無人認領資金。中央公積金局（CPFB）管理公積金儲蓄。
搜尋網站
- 無人認領資金入口：中央政府入口，搜尋各政府機構持有的無人認領資金。網址：unclaimedmonies.gov.sg
- 公共受託人辦公室（PTO）：分配已故人士的公積金儲蓄和其他遺產資金。網址：pto.mlaw.gov.sg
無人認領金額
公共受託人辦公室共有 2.11 億新加坡元無人認領。其中公積金儲蓄佔 1.32 億新加坡元。令人擔憂的是，2023年 在65歲前去世的公積金會員中有五分之二沒有公積金提名。
9. 澳門
澳門沒有類似美國、英國或澳洲的集中式無人認領財產數據庫。休眠銀行帳戶由各銀行在澳門金融管理局（AMCM）的監管下處理。直接聯繫銀行查詢。
10. 台灣
台灣沒有單一的集中式無人認領財產搜尋工具。休眠帳戶受金融監督管理委員會（FSC）監管。直接聯繫各銀行查詢。養老金相關查詢可透過勞工保險局（BLI）辦理。
11. 紐西蘭
政府機構
國內稅務局（IR）根據1971年《無人認領資金法》管理紐西蘭的無人認領資金登記冊。
無人認領金額
超過 415,000 名紐西蘭人被欠共 4.77 億紐元的無人認領資金。資金在數據庫中保留最多 25 年——如果在此時間內未被認領，將從數據庫中刪除，不再接受索償。
12. 愛爾蘭
愛爾蘭的國家財政管理局（NTMA）管理休眠帳戶基金，接收來自休眠銀行帳戶和無人認領人壽保險單的資金。閒置15年以上帳戶的資金被轉移至此，但所有者保留隨時索回的權利。
對於無人認領的人壽保險，根據2003年《無人認領人壽保險法》，保險公司須識別並報告無人認領的保單。使用 Insurance Ireland 的查詢表格進行搜尋。
13. 瑞士
政府機構
瑞士的休眠資產由瑞士銀行家協會（SBA）指引和瑞士銀行法管理。瑞士銀行監察員提供集中搜尋服務。
無人認領金額
約2,600個休眠瑞士銀行帳戶在2015年法律變更後在網上公佈。分析師估計瑞士所有休眠帳戶至少含 20 億瑞士法郎（約23億美元）。帳戶在無聯繫10年和休眠50年後——共60年——才被公佈。
索償方法
- 向瑞士銀行監察員提交搜尋請求（bankingombudsman.ch）。搜尋費用為100瑞士法郎。
- 檢查 dormantaccounts.ch 上已休眠60年以上帳戶的公佈名單。
- 提供身份證明和與帳戶持有人的關係證明（對繼承人而言）。
14. 德國
德國目前沒有集中式的無人認領銀行帳戶政府數據庫。直接聯繫各銀行查詢。BaFin（聯邦金融監管局）可確認特定金融機構是否仍在運營。養老金方面，通過德國法定養老金保險（Deutsche Rentenversicherung）檢查。
重要注意事項：在德國，銀行可能收取休眠費用，最終可能將餘額減至零。沒有充公法——銀行無限期保留休眠餘額，而不是將其轉移給國家。
15. 法國
政府機構
法國有一個現代化的集中搜尋平台——Ciclade，由信託存款局（CDC）運營。
搜尋方法
在 ciclade.caissedesdepots.fr 免費搜尋。使用帳戶持有人的姓名和出生日期進行搜尋。信託存款局保管資金 20 年（人壽保險為 27 年）。
與某些可隨時索償的國家不同，法國從帳戶休眠起有30年的硬性截止期限。此後，資金被永久轉移給國家，不可索回。
16. 荷蘭
荷蘭沒有單一的集中式無人認領財產數據庫。然而，存在大量無人認領的養老金。三個最大的養老金基金——ABP（公務員）、PFZW（醫療保健）和 PMT（工程）——持有合計 3.5 億歐元的無人認領養老金，並正在積極尋找10萬名失蹤參與者。
如果您曾在荷蘭工作，請在 mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl（需要 DigiD）檢查您的養老金權益。
17. 資產如何遺失：常見原因
了解資產為何變為無人認領有助於您知道在哪裡尋找：
- 移民：對香港家庭來說是第一原因。移民時常關閉主要帳戶但忘記小額儲蓄帳戶、未到期定期存款、保險單、強積金帳戶、公用事業按金和退稅。
- 轉工：每次更換僱主，可能創建新的養老金帳戶。在5-10次轉工的40年職業生涯中，養老金帳戶累積並被遺忘。
- 未留記錄的去世：當某人去世時未留下全面的資產清單，家人可能不知道所有帳戶。
- 地址更改：搬家後未更新所有金融機構。數年無聯繫後，機構將帳戶歸類為休眠。
- 公司合併和關閉：銀行、保險公司或僱主合併或關閉時，帳戶可能在持有人不知情的情況下轉移至繼承機構。
- 姓名更改：結婚、離婚或音譯差異（中文姓名常見）可能導致記錄不匹配。
18. 成功全球搜尋的貼士
19. 快速參考總結表
| 國家 | 中央搜尋工具 | 估計無人認領金額 | 主要網址 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 香港 | 無（個別聯繫銀行） | 未知（6,200萬港元以上無主財產） | mpfa.org.hk / empf.org.hk |
| 美國 | 有 — MissingMoney.com | 700 億美元 | missingmoney.com |
| 英國 | 有 — My Lost Account | 150-500 億英鎊 | mylostaccount.org.uk |
| 澳洲 | 有 — ATO / ASIC MoneySmart | 189 億澳元（僅退休公積金） | my.gov.au / moneysmart.gov.au |
| 加拿大 | 有 — 加拿大銀行 | 18 億加元 | unclaimedproperties.bankofcanada.ca |
| 日本 | 無（聯繫銀行；年金用於養老金） | 每年700億日圓 | nenkin.go.jp/international |
| 新加坡 | 有 — unclaimedmonies.gov.sg | 2.11 億新加坡元 | unclaimedmonies.gov.sg |
| 澳門 | 無 | 未知 | amcm.gov.mo |
| 台灣 | 無 | 未知 | fsc.gov.tw |
| 紐西蘭 | 有 — IRD | 4.77 億紐元 | ird.govt.nz/unclaimedmoney |
| 愛爾蘭 | 部分（透過銀行 + NTMA） | 未知 | ntma.ie |
| 瑞士 | 有 — 銀行監察員 | 20 億瑞士法郎以上 | bankingombudsman.ch |
| 德國 | 無 | 未知 | bafin.de |
| 法國 | 有 — Ciclade | 未知 | ciclade.caissedesdepots.fr |
| 荷蘭 | 部分 — Mijn Pensioenoverzicht | 3.5 億歐元（養老金） | mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl |
結語
全球無人認領財產的規模令人震驚——數千億美元存放在政府金庫和金融機構中，等待合法所有者或其繼承人前來索回。對於擁有國際聯繫的香港家庭來說，跨多個國家的系統性搜尋可能會產生令人驚喜的結果。
最重要的一點：本指南中列出的每個官方搜尋工具都是免費使用的。您永遠不需要為搜尋付費。如果您找到資產並需要幫助處理索償程序——特別是跨多個司法管轄區——這正是像 AssetCadet 這樣的專業資產追回服務能為您節省時間、壓力和昂貴錯誤的地方。
今天就開始搜尋。錢就在那裡，只需要被找到。
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AssetCadet is not an operating service. This guide is published for free as a public resource. If you are interested in building this service together, contact Mr Ko.AssetCadet 並非營運中的服務。本指南作為公共資源免費發佈。如果您有興趣一起打造此服務，請聯絡高先生。
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