Is BC Unclaimed legitimate? What you need to know

If someone told you there was money in your name, your first reaction might be curiosity. Your second might be doubt.

Can this be trusted? Is this real? Could it be a scam?

It is a fair question. In a time where phishing emails and impersonation scams are common, the idea of unclaimed money can feel suspicious. That is exactly why we want to make things clear.

Here is what you need to know about BC Unclaimed, how we operate, and how to protect yourself from lookalike scams.

We are designated by the Province of British Columbia

BC Unclaimed is a not-for-profit society. We were established in 2003 and are designated by the Province under the Unclaimed Property Act to manage unclaimed money in British Columbia.

We receive unclaimed funds from:

• Courts

• Credit unions

• Real estate companies

• Provincial government ministries

• Insurance providers

• Companies in liquidation

• Intestate estates (estates with no will)

Our job is to safeguard these funds and return them to their rightful owners. If the owner cannot be located, the money is transferred to the Vancouver Foundation to support community programs. The funds always remain available to be claimed by the rightful owner.

You will never be asked to pay a fee

Searching the BC Unclaimed database is always free. So is submitting a claim.

We do not charge for access. We do not take a percentage. And we do not ask for payment at any point in the process.

If you are ever contacted by someone offering to help you claim unclaimed money for a fee, that is not us.

We do not use third-party representatives

BC Unclaimed does not hire outside agencies or consultants to act on our behalf. If someone contacts you claiming to represent us and asks you to respond to a third party, it is a scam.

We contact claimants directly, typically by letter through Canada Post. We do not send unsolicited texts or social media messages.

We follow strict privacy and security practices

Your personal information is protected under BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. We only ask for documentation that is required to verify ownership. Claims are reviewed by our in-house team, not by automated systems or external services.

We do not ask for your credit card, passwords, or security questions and there's never an urgent deadline to claim your funds.

Watch for red flags

Fraudsters often mimic legitimate services. Here are some warning signs to watch for:

• The message asks you to pay a fee or send money: Scammers often claim there are taxes or release fees. BC Unclaimed will never request payment.

• You are asked to respond to a third party: We do not use third-party agents. All communications come directly from BC Unclaimed.

• The website or email looks suspicious: Imposters may use lookalike email addresses or URLs. Always verify the site address is bcunclaimed.ca

• There are spelling or grammar errors: Official messages from BC Unclaimed are carefully reviewed. Poorly written emails are a common red flag.

• You are asked for personal financial details: We will never ask you to provide your sensitive financial information by email.

If you are unsure, contact us directly through the information listed on our website. We are happy to confirm whether a message is legitimate.

BC Unclaimed is real. The process is secure. The search is free.

Our job is to reconnect people with money that belongs to them and to protect that money until it is claimed. There are no fees, no urgency, and no expiration dates.

You can start by searching your name at bcunclaimed.ca

If there is money in your name, we will help you claim it.