You can charge whatever you want as a Maryland unclaimed money finder!

The only provision in the Maryland unclaimed money act regarding Maryland unclaimed money finders states that any agreement to recover money that has been held for less than 24 months is unenforceable.

That’s about it.

Maryland doesn’t give much information on their website regarding unclaimed money or unclaimed money finders.

I had to contact them directly to get information.  One thing that stands out from what they sent is that the dollar amounts are not shown on their unclaimed money list.

I must say, they do have a very friendly and helpful staff.

Here is what they sent when requesting information:

“This is in response to your request concerning “Maryland unclaimed money finder” activities and/or obtaining a list of unclaimed property owners.

I’ll begin by stating that there is no licensing requirement to engage in locating in this State.  Section 17-325 contains the only provision in Maryland’s Abandoned Property Act which deals with these activities specifically.  It states that all agreements to pay compensation to recover or assist in the recovery of property made with 24 months of the date the property is paid or delivered to this office are unenforceable.

You may purchase lists of unclaimed property owners, but I add a very important note of caution.  Section 10-617 (f) (2) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland requires a denial of inspection of the part of a public record that contains “information about the finances of an individual, including assets…”.  While lists of names and addresses may be purchased, for example, this statutory provision requires us to excise any information which purports to state the value or description of property.  Such information would not be denied if requested by the owner or a duly authorized agent.

Lists would be available on computer print outs or tapes.  For information on fees, I have enclosed a copy of the Comptroller’s Fee Schedule.”

Basically, what they are saying is what I summed up above.

As for the fees for the list, that is a little confusing:

They say there is a base fee of $500 per request, then .05 for each additional request over 10,000 requests.

Then there is a charge of .05 per request subject to a minimum $225 charge.

If you want to read the whole Maryland unclaimed money price list be my guest, but it seems like you’re spending a lot of money on a list that has no dollar amounts.

It turns out to be a crapshoot.

My advice if you live in Maryland and want to become an unclaimed money finder…just look in other states.

For example, we’re in New York.  However, we don’t search in New York unless requested to by friends or family because there is no dollar amount listed.

Instead, we look in places like Alaska, Colorado, California, etc.

I am suggesting that you do the same.

 

 

If you are interested in becoming a Maryland unclaimed money finder, or a finder for any other state(s), and would like to learn more about this great opportunity, please click here.

Well, I have good news and bad news regarding becoming a Maine unclaimed money finder.

The good news is you can charge as much as you want in commission (with one small exception).

The bad news is you need to be a private investigator.

However, even that news is not too bad. You have a couple of options.  If you live in Maine, you do not have to search for unclaimed money only in Maine. You can search in any other state.

For example, we’re in New York, but I don’t do any searches in New York State (unless friends or family request it) because New York State does not give the dollar amount on their list.

Another option is to partner with a current private investigator in Maine. You can use their name and information for a share of commissions.

Or, if you really want to search for Maine unclaimed money, you can become a private investigator. The only really difficult part of it is the time it takes.

The qualifications to become a Maine private investigator are:

For more information on becoming a private investigator in Maine, check out the Maine Private Investigators Handbook. You can also visit the Maine State Police and find additional information there.

If you are ready to start as a Maine unclaimed money finder, it is a great opportunity.

The Maine unclaimed money finder laws are:

It’s pretty simple to become a Louisiana unclaimed money finder and their list is only $50, so it doesn’t take much to get started.

Louisiana Unclaimed Money Finder Laws

Louisiana Revised Statute Title 9

Louisiana Department of the Treasury

Information for Locators of Unclaimed Property

Louisiana law provides for a maximum limit of 10% on locator fees and a waiting period from the time the property is presumed abandoned until 24 months after it is reported. A private investigators license is NOT required in Louisiana. Our owner information is available on a compact disc for the cost of $50.00 (cashiers or certified check). This CD includes the owner’s name, address, the reporting company, the type of property and amount. Please mail any requests to: 

Louisiana Department of the Treasury

Unclaimed Property Division

626 Main Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

Copy of the relevant section of law:

§ 177. Agreement to locate property

A. An agreement by an owner to pay compensation to locate, deliver, recover, or assist in the recovery of property that is presumed abandoned is void and unenforceable if it was entered into during the period commencing on the date the property was presumed abandoned and extending to a time that is twenty‑four months after the date the property is paid or delivered to the administrator.

B. Any agreement by an owner to pay compensation to locate, deliver, recover, or assist in the recovery of property is enforceable only if the agreement is in writing, clearly sets forth the nature of the property and the services to be rendered, is signed by the apparent owner, and states the value of the property before and after the fee or other compensation has been deducted.

C. If an agreement covered by this Section is applicable to mineral proceeds and the agreement contains a provision to pay compensation that includes a portion of the underlying minerals or any production payment, overriding royalty, compensating royalty, or similar payment, the provision is void and unenforceable.

D. Any agreement by an owner to pay compensation to locate, deliver, recover, and assist in the recovery of property which is entered into on a date that is twenty‑four months or more after the date the property is paid or delivered to the administrator shall not provide for compensation exceeding ten percent of the value of the recoverable property. An owner who has agreed to pay compensation that is unconscionable, or the administrator on behalf of the owner, may maintain an action to reduce the compensation to a conscionable amount. The court may award reasonable attorney fees to an owner who prevails in the action.

E. An owner may at any time assert that an agreement covered by this Section is otherwise invalid.

Acts 1997, No. 809, § 1, eff. July 10, 1997.

There are millions of dollars in unclaimed money in Louisiana.

Help return this money and get paid commissions with this great opportunity!

Please click here if you would like to become a Louisiana unclaimed money finder.