California has nearly a billion in unclaimed cash: How to find out if some of it is yours

FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2013, file photo, freshly-cut stacks of $100 bills make their way down the line at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Borrowing money from family can create an awkward situation. Setting up a loan agreement can make it easier to avoid hurt feelings and disputes down the road. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File) less FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2013, file photo, freshly-cut stacks of $100 bills make their way down the line at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Borrowing money ... more Photo: LM Otero, Associated Press Photo: LM Otero, Associated Press Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close California has nearly a billion in unclaimed cash: How to find out if some of it is yours 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

The state of California is sitting on nearly $770 million in unclaimed cash belonging to Californians, and State Controller Betty Yee wants to return it to its rightful owners.

Yee says the state is sitting on nearly $770 million and urges people to check for unclaimed property by searching the state's new, easier-to-use database at www.claimit.ca.gov, or by calling 800-992-4647.

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"People should check today and see if the State Controller's Office has their forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, safe deposit boxes, or more," said Yee in a statement

The state is safeguarding 48.1 million properties, according to Yee's office. In the 2017-18 fiscal year, property owners received about $309 million over the span of 580,000 claims with average payouts being $534.