Myrtle Beach Unclaimed Property
Myrtle Beach generates more unclaimed property than nearly any other city its size in South Carolina. Tourism and hospitality are the backbone of this coastal city, and the constant flow of seasonal workers, short-term residents, and visiting guests creates a large number of accounts, refunds, and checks that never find their way back to the right person. The South Carolina Unclaimed Property Program collects and holds all of it until the owner comes forward. The search is free, and there is no limit on how far back you can claim.
Myrtle Beach Quick Facts
Why Myrtle Beach Produces Heavy Unclaimed Property
Myrtle Beach is South Carolina's largest tourist destination, welcoming millions of visitors each year. The hospitality, service, and retail industries that support this tourism economy are major sources of unclaimed property. Hotels report unclaimed guest deposits. Restaurants and shops report uncashed vendor checks. Seasonal employers send uncollected payroll into the state program when workers move on and cannot be located. This pattern repeats year after year.
Beyond tourism, Myrtle Beach has a substantial permanent population spread across Horry County. The city itself is located at 937 Broadway Street, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Residents deal with the same types of unclaimed property as those in any other South Carolina city: dormant bank accounts, forgotten savings bonds, unreturned security deposits, and insurance proceeds that were never paid out. The combination of permanent residents and high business turnover makes Myrtle Beach one of the more active cities in the state for unclaimed property activity.
Note: Former seasonal workers and temporary residents who once lived or worked in Myrtle Beach should search using their name as it appeared during that time, even if they no longer have a Myrtle Beach address.
Myrtle Beach City Government Resources
The City of Myrtle Beach handles a wide range of financial transactions with residents and businesses. Utility deposits, permit refunds, and overpayments on city accounts can all become unclaimed if the check is sent to a closed or outdated address. If you have ever had city utility service or paid fees to the city, it is worth verifying that any credits or refunds were actually received.
The image below is taken from the City of Myrtle Beach's official website. City finance staff can confirm whether any refund or credit on your account was processed and whether it was mailed or transferred to the state program.
City of Myrtle Beach official website — city services and finance department contact:
The city's finance and utility departments can help you track down any outstanding credits or refunds from city-level accounts before checking the state portal.
Searching Myrtle Beach Unclaimed Funds
The primary search tool for Myrtle Beach unclaimed money is the state portal at southcarolina.findyourunclaimedproperty.com. Enter "Myrtle Beach" as your city when searching. You can also search by name alone without specifying a city, which is useful if your property was reported under a different address than your Myrtle Beach residence. Try variations of your name, including middle names, maiden names, and common misspellings.
Each record in the search results identifies the holder, meaning the company or institution that reported the property. For Myrtle Beach residents, common holders include coastal banks and credit unions, resort and hotel operators, utility providers like Horry Electric and Grand Strand Water and Sewer, and former employers in the hospitality sector. Recognizing the holder helps confirm whether a record belongs to you before you start the claim process.
The screenshot below is captured from the South Carolina State Treasurer's official unclaimed property search portal.
South Carolina State Treasurer Unclaimed Property Search — the free state portal:
The portal is accessible around the clock and does not require an account to search. Claims can be started directly from the search results once you identify a matching record.
Horry County Unclaimed Tax Refunds
Horry County Treasurer Angie Jones oversees the county's financial operations and can be reached at (843) 915-5470. The county has identified more than $173,000 in unclaimed tax refunds owed to property owners and former residents. These are separate from the state unclaimed property program and are held at the county level until claimed.
If you have owned property in Horry County, paid county taxes, or received a notice about an overpayment, check with the Horry County Treasurer to see if any refund is waiting. The process for claiming county-level tax refunds differs from the state program and requires contacting the county directly.
Property owners who have sold or transferred land in Horry County may have overpaid taxes during the transaction period. Tax proration refunds are a common source of unclaimed money at the county level. Checking with both the county treasurer and the state portal gives Myrtle Beach residents the most complete picture of what may be owed to them.
Note: Horry County's unclaimed tax refund list is updated periodically, so it is worth checking even if a prior search turned up nothing.
Myrtle Beach Unclaimed Property Claim Process
Starting a claim through the state portal is straightforward. Find your record, then click through to the claim form. You will need a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. You will also need to provide proof that you were connected to the address or account on record. A bank statement, lease, utility bill, or tax document showing the Myrtle Beach address is usually sufficient.
Seasonal workers and former residents face a slightly different situation. If you lived in Myrtle Beach temporarily and have since moved, the state will still process your claim. You just need to show that your name and former Myrtle Beach address match the record on file. A prior lease or former employer's pay stub can help establish this connection.
Claims for deceased individuals require a death certificate along with documentation showing your right to act on behalf of the estate. This can be a will, letters testamentary issued by a probate court, or a notarized heirship affidavit. The State Treasurer's claims team reviews all submissions and follows up if additional information is needed.
Processing usually takes a few months. Claims are paid by check or direct deposit at no charge. For questions, call the state office at 803-737-4771 or visit the program's FAQ page at southcarolina.findyourunclaimedproperty.com/app/faq-info.
Federal Unclaimed Funds for Myrtle Beach Residents
Beyond the state program, Myrtle Beach residents may also have unclaimed funds held by federal courts. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina holds unclaimed funds from closed bankruptcy cases. These are funds that were available to creditors or debtors but were never claimed during the case. The court can be reached at 803-765-5436, and information is available at scb.uscourts.gov/unclaimed-funds.
Municipal unclaimed property is another category worth checking. Some South Carolina municipalities report unclaimed property separately from the state program. Information on municipal unclaimed property reporting is available through the Municipal Association of South Carolina at masc.sc. If you have had dealings with local government entities in the Myrtle Beach area, this resource may identify additional unclaimed funds.
Horry County Unclaimed Money
Myrtle Beach is located in Horry County, and the county page provides a broader view of unclaimed property resources for all Horry County residents. That page covers the county treasurer's office, additional search resources, and guidance specific to the Horry County area.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
These cities near Myrtle Beach also have residents with unclaimed funds in the South Carolina program. Each page includes local search tips and relevant resources.