The amount and variety of unclaimed property in Wyoming is larger than one would think. Sometimes it happens when people move and forget to reclaim their utility deposits or over-payments; other times, people may die and leave some money squirreled away in separate checking or savings accounts. Laws regarding the state taking possession of unclaimed property in WY -- a process also known as Wyoming escheatment or Wyoming escheat -- also mean that business owners have legal obligations if they come into possession of unclaimed property.

The list of unclaimed property in WY includes, but is not limited to, stocks, checking/savings accounts, death benefits, vendor checks, over-payments, CDs, paid-in-full life insurance, uncashed checks, unpaid wages, money orders, credit balances, refunds, dividends, commissions, insurance payments, gift certificates and customer deposits.

1. Know the laws regarding Wyoming state unclaimed property and how they affect you as a business owner.

2. Search abandoned property in Wyoming to see if you have forgotten some WY escheat assets.

3. Find a Wyoming unclaimed property auction.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know your obligations regarding WY unclaimed property

As a business owner, you're typically required to report and remit unclaimed property in Wyoming. If someone forgets to pick up a deposit or a check, make sure you know what your legal obligations are.

I recommend: Go to the Wyoming Treasurer's Office-Annual Holder Reports/Forms section for reporting information. The Business Owner's Toolkit also has information about your obligations regarding unclaimed property in Wyoming.

Search Wyoming unclaimed property to ensure that your business hasn't left some assets behind

It may be a long shot, but why not perform a Wyoming unclaimed property search to make sure your business doesn't have some assets floating around out there somewhere? This makes even more sense if your business has been around for a long time or it has a long string of former owners. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that one of the former owners neglected to retrieve some WY unclaimed property or even some unclaimed land in Wyoming that still belongs to your business.

I recommend: Search for abandoned property in Wyoming at the Wyoming Treasurer's Office-Search the Unclaimed Property List by Name. Or search for Wyoming abandoned property along with many other states at MissingMoney.com. Or try CashUnclaimed.com.

Find unclaimed property in WY at auctions

State and local governments, as well as police agencies, sometimes dispose of unclaimed properties in Wyoming through auctions. If you like auctions, it can be a good way to save your business some money.

I recommend: PropertyRoom.com auctions unclaimed and seized property from police forces in Wyoming and elsewhere. JustAuctions features unclaimed properties in WY, as well as foreclosures and seized property.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be wary if approached by someone who wants money in exchange for information regarding state of Wyoming unclaimed property; you can get the same information on your own for free.