SEC and FTC refunds from enforcement cases
Money collected from companies or people in government enforcement cases and paid back to harmed investors (SEC) or consumers (FTC).
- Run by
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Cost
- Free; the FTC says it never requires upfront fees
- Deadline
- Varies by case; check the case page.
How to check and claim
SEC: look up your case on the SEC 'Distributions to Harmed Investors' page and follow the case link for the claims process and administrator.
FTC: check ftc.gov/refunds for active refund programs; each one lists the company handling payments and a phone number.
Only call phone numbers listed on sec.gov or ftc.gov/refunds, not numbers from an unexpected message.
Go to the official site.
Open official siteChecking is free. The FTC warns that the government will not call or text you asking you to pay to search for unclaimed money. Go to the official site yourself and never pay a "processing" fee.
Other places to check
MissingMoney.com and NAUPA state unclaimed property searchU.S. savings bonds (TreasuryDirect)IRS refunds from tax returns never filed (3-year rule)IRS undelivered or lost refund checks (Where's My Refund?)NAIC Life Insurance Policy LocatorPBGC unclaimed pension searchRetirement Savings Lost and Found Database (Department of Labor)FDIC unclaimed funds from failed banksNCUA unclaimed deposits from closed credit unionsHUD/FHA mortgage insurance premium refundsVA unclaimed life insurance fundsClass action settlements: how to check that one is real