Unclaimed Money in South Carolina

Search on the state's official site

South Carolina keeps its unclaimed property records on its own system, which only the state itself can search. Here's the direct link, plus what South Carolina law says about paid recovery services.

The facts for South Carolina

• Official free search: South Carolina Unclaimed Property Program (Palmetto Payback) — run by the South Carolina Office of the State Treasurer.
• Maximum legal finder fee: 15% of the amount recovered.
• Earliest a fee agreement can be signed: 2 years after the property reaches state custody.
• Research confidence: high — this page is research, not legal advice.

What South Carolina law says about recovery services

South Carolina caps finder/locator fees at 15% of the value returned to the owner and makes any such fee agreement unenforceable if signed within 24 months of the property being handed over to the state administrator. Charging or attempting to charge an illegal fee is a criminal misdemeanor (fine of 1-10x the fee, or up to 30 days in jail) rather than a licensing violation, and we did not find a specific statutory checklist for what the written agreement must disclose beyond the fee/timing rule — have counsel double check the surrounding chapter for any disclosure mandate.

Frequently asked questions

How do I search for unclaimed money in South Carolina for free?

Search South Carolina's official unclaimed property site, https://southcarolina.findyourunclaimedproperty.com/ (run by the South Carolina Office of the State Treasurer). Searching and claiming there is always free.

Can a company charge a fee to recover unclaimed property in South Carolina?

South Carolina law caps finder fees at 15% of the amount recovered (see South Carolina's locator statute). You never have to use a finder — claiming yourself is free.

Does UnclaimedCash.AI file claims in South Carolina?

No — we only file claims in California. You can still search South Carolina on this page free, and if something turns up we show you exactly how to claim it yourself with the state at no cost.

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