News
Can you claim unclaimed funds for a family member or estate?
If you’ve found unclaimed money under a family member’s name, you may wonder who can claim it. Learn who’s legally allowed to make a claim, what documents are required, and how BC Unclaimed helps executors and administrators reconnect funds with estates.
Debunking common unclaimed property myths
Learn common myths about unclaimed money and why you shouldn’t let them stop you from claiming what’s rightfully yours.
BC Unclaimed has adopted a four-day work week
We started our four-day work week pilot in August 2023, and now we're reporting back that we are continuing our four-day work week.
Meet the BC Unclaimed Team!
Our team is passionate about the task of returning your unclaimed money, so we thought we'd share what we love about working at BC Unclaimed, and some of the impactful and surprising parts of the job.
How you can stop your money from becoming unclaimed property
While we will keep your unclaimed funds safe until they’re claimed, these tips will help you make sure your money stays where you intended.
From Lost to Found: Strategies for Proving Your Unclaimed Funds
One of the trickiest parts of claiming your funds can be proving it’s yours. This blog post will provide some suggestions for where to look, and strategies to get started.
Tune into Sherry MacLennan's latest interview about BC Unclaimed on The Jill Bennett Show
Listen to learn more about where unclaimed money comes from and how it can be claimed.
Have you received a letter from BC Unclaimed saying you might have money from a court case? Here’s what you need to know to get started.
If you have received a letter saying you might have money from a court case, this blog will explain where this money comes from, what’s required to claim the money and why, and how to get started.
The cost of claiming what’s yours: understanding the external costs of claiming your money
BC Unclaimed doesn't charge a fee to claim your funds. But sometimes are external costs to get what you need to claim what's yours. This blog post provides three examples of the external costs associated with claiming unclaimed funds.
“Our biggest year ever!”: Update from BC Unclaimed’s Executive Director, Sherry MacLennan
BC Unclaimed's had a busy start to 2024 after receiving a record-breaking $34 million in unclaimed funds in 2023.
The power of your unclaimed money: how BC’s unclaimed funds are serving residents and supporting charities
Learn how unclaimed money is being used to benefit British Columbians while it’s waiting to be claimed.
Daily Hive article highlights the $218 million of unclaimed funds listed in BC Unclaimed's database
Learn the latest unclaimed property stats from this article published May 12, 2024.
Why is there so much unclaimed money in BC? What we’re doing to ensure it's claimed by the rightful owner.
At the time of writing this there’s approximately $218 million listed in BC Unclaimed’s database. So why is there so much money sitting unclaimed in BC?
How does money become unclaimed? It’s not just forgetfulness!
Have you ever wondered how someone could forget about their money? This blog post explains why it's not as simple as just forgetting.
BC Unclaimed's 20th anniversary reception recap
On November 15, 2023, BC Unclaimed hosted a reception to celebrate our 20th anniversary, continue reading to learn more about this special event.
Changes in BC credit unions: What you need to know about dormant accounts
Why these changes are happening, what it means for your forgotten accounts, and how you can make sure you're not missing out.
The Cost of Living with Paul Haavardsrud discusses unclaimed money throughout Canada
Listen to December 3's episode to learn about the oldest unclaimed balance in Canada and to get inspiration about how to spend your unclaimed dollars.
Reflections on BC Unclaimed’s attendance at the 2023 Provincial Advocate Training Conference
Learn about how BC Unclaimed is connecting with the advocate community to help get more money back into the hands of those who need it most.
BC Unclaimed's Executive Director, Sherry MacLennan is Not Your Average Law Job's latest Happy Lawyer
Read about Sherry’s passion and priorities for reuniting British Columbians with their unclaimed money.
Building a better experience through feedback: Our commitment to holders
Discover how BC Unclaimed values feedback and has been enhancing our services for holders of unclaimed funds.
Handling deceased owners' funds with care: BC Unclaimed's process
In this blog post, we'll explain how BC Unclaimed deals with funds when the rightful owner has passed away, who can make a claim for the money, and what documentation is required to issue payment to the rightful owner’s estate.
BC Unclaimed has launched a four-day work week pilot
The pilot will run until the end of February 2024 and aims to boost employee well-being, maintain or or improve service quality, and prioritize professional development.
Safeguarding unclaimed funds: How BC Unclaimed protects rightful owners with evidence requirements
In this blog post, we'll explore how BC Unclaimed's evidence requirements ensure a secure process, verify the rightful owner's identity and provide peace of mind to claimants.
Looking back on one year with BC Unclaimed
Sherry MacLennan reflects on her first year as BC Unclaimed's Executive Director and her goals for the organization's future
Listen to Sherry MacLennan on The Jill Bennett Show, 980 CKNW
Learn about the most common reasons money becomes unclaimed, how to claim your money, and the source of the largest claim in BC Unclaimed's twenty-year history.
Sherry MacLennan explains how to find unclaimed money on CTV Morning Live.
Do you have unclaimed money you're unaware of? Listen to BC Unclaimed Executive Director Sherry MacLennan explain how to find unclaimed money that you don't know about on CTV Morning Live.
BC government proclaims May 15th as Unclaimed Property Day, recognizing the BC Unclaimed Property Society’s 20th anniversary
The BC government has issued a proclamation designating May 15 as Unclaimed Property Day
$190 million sitting unclaimed in BC, Daily Hive's article highlights
Learn the latest unclaimed property stats from this article published May 3, 2023.
Are you interested in working for an organization making a difference to British Columbians?
BC Unclaimed is currently looking for an experienced Administrator to join our team.
BC Unclaimed welcomes Kate Hammer to board of directors
BC Unclaimed has appointed Kate Hammer, Vice President, Engagement, at Vancouver Foundation to its board of directors.
BC Unclaimed celebrates 20th anniversary, launches new website
BC Unclaimed is celebrating our 20th anniversary and introducing a whole new look and feel for the organization.
What are your business obligations for managing unclaimed accounts?
Dormant accounts can be a costly administrative burden. BC Unclaimed has served as a “lost and found” for unclaimed money in B.C. since 2003.
BC Unclaimed welcomes new executive director
Sherry MacLennan has joined BC Unclaimed as the not-for-profit’s new Executive Director.
Reflecting on more than a decade at BC Unclaimed
After more than a decade as Executive Director of the BC Unclaimed Property Society, Alena Levitz has accepted a new position.
New Brunswick launches unclaimed property program
On January 1, 2022, New Brunswick became the fourth Canadian province to implement an unclaimed property program.
Making an educated decision about unclaimed funds
Retired primary school teacher Sue Wallace was reunited with funds from an old credit union account.
What the new federal government has planned for unclaimed assets
The government proposed to modernize the federal unclaimed assets regime and expand the scope of the program.
An international look at unclaimed property programs
BC Unclaimed’s Executive Director presented to the NAUPA conference on BC’s unclaimed property program.
$149 million sitting in dormant accounts in BC waiting to be claimed
There is now approximately $149 million in unclaimed money from dormant accounts in British Columbia looking for a home.
Unclaimed funds could provide needed financial relief for British Columbians impacted by COVID-19
There is now more than $164 million in forgotten funds in BC looking for the rightful owners.
Dormant funds from BC Unclaimed directed to fight COVID-19 pandemic
Every year, a portion of dormant funds remitted to BC Unclaimed is transferred to Vancouver Foundation to be used for charitable purposes.
An international perspective on using dormant assets to fund social programs
The Japanese government hosted the International Symposium on Utilizing Dormant Accounts for Social Issues.
Found money for a fee? Protect yourself against unclaimed property scams
It’s estimated more than $20 million was lost last year in phishing scams.
More than $159 million sitting in dormant accounts in BC looking for a home
More than $159 million in unclaimed money is sitting in orphaned accounts in BC
Claimant profile: Elusive unclaimed wages finds a home
Through BC Unclaimed, Lisa discovered a forgotten payroll cheque from UBC worth about $2500.
BC Unclaimed’s social philanthropy business model support the public good
Last year, BC Unclaimed transferred $2.8 million to Vancouver Foundation to support community programs.
Unclaimed property in BC tops $150 million – June 2018
Over the last four years, the amount of unclaimed property sitting in dormant accounts in British Columbia has increased by more than 50%.
Approximately $140 million in unclaimed funds sitting in dormant accounts in BC
Today, approximately $140 million in unclaimed funds are searchable in BC Unclaimed’s database.
The Canadian unclaimed property landscape
To date, only Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec have unclaimed property legislation.
Claimant Profile: A Win-Win from BC Unclaimed
Trevor O'Reilly discovered through BC Unclaimed that he had over $800 owing to him in vacation pay.
When is a dormant account officially designated as unclaimed property?
An account is deemed "unclaimed" after 6 months to 10 years, depending on the type.