Florence County Unclaimed Money Search
Florence County residents have unclaimed property waiting for them in the South Carolina state database. These funds come from old bank accounts, forgotten insurance payouts, utility deposits, and more. The state holds this money until the rightful owner comes forward to claim it. There is no deadline to file a claim and no fee to search. Anyone who has lived or worked in Florence County may have money on file with the state. Start your search today using the tools on this page.
Florence County Quick Facts
Florence County Unclaimed Property Overview
South Carolina holds more than one billion dollars in unclaimed property on behalf of residents across the state. Florence County is home to a significant number of those outstanding claims. The South Carolina State Treasurer manages the Unclaimed Property Program and keeps the funds safe until owners step forward. Under state law, holders such as banks, insurance companies, and utilities must turn over dormant accounts to the state after a set period of inactivity. That period is five years for most account types.
Florence is the county seat and the largest city in the region. The county stretches across a wide area and includes smaller communities like Pamplico, Lake City, and Timmonsville. People who have moved away from Florence County may still have property on file here from old employers, banks, or service providers. Former Florence County residents can still make a claim regardless of where they live now.
The state treasurer has returned more than $420 million to South Carolina residents since Curtis Loftis took office. Last year alone, $36.7 million was paid out to claimants across the state. There is no cost to claim what belongs to you. The search tool at southcarolina.findyourunclaimedproperty.com lets you look up your name in seconds.
Note: You can search under your current name and any previous names you have used, including maiden names or names from prior marriages.
Florence County Abandoned Property Types
Unclaimed funds come from many sources. Banks report savings and checking accounts that have had no customer contact for five years. Life insurance companies report benefits that were never paid out. Utility companies in Florence County turn over security deposits when they cannot locate a former customer. Brokerage firms report forgotten stocks and dividends. Each of these becomes abandoned property under South Carolina law and transfers to the state.
South Carolina law sets different dormancy periods depending on the type of property. Most accounts go dormant after five years. Wages and payroll checks become unclaimed after just one year. Utility deposits are also subject to a one-year period. Money orders are held for seven years before transfer. Traveler's checks have a fifteen-year period. Securities such as stocks and mutual fund shares become unclaimed after three years of no activity. You can review the full dormancy schedule at the state dormancy table.
Common types of unclaimed property found in Florence County records include:
- Dormant checking and savings accounts
- Uncashed payroll or refund checks
- Life insurance or annuity proceeds
- Utility security deposits
- Stocks, dividends, and mutual fund shares
- Safe deposit box contents
- Court-held funds and escrow balances
Note: Business owners in Florence County can also check whether any unclaimed property is listed under their company name or a former business entity.
How to Claim Florence County Unclaimed Funds
Claiming your money is a straightforward process. Go to the state search portal and type in your full name. The system will show any matches in the database. Each listing includes the name of the holder, the property type, and the amount if it is above a certain threshold. Review the results carefully. Some listings may require you to select the correct match if more than one name appears.
Once you find a match, you submit a claim online through the same portal. The state will ask you to verify your identity by providing documents such as a government-issued ID, proof of address, and any supporting paperwork that connects you to the property. For larger claims, you may need to submit additional documentation. The state reviews each claim and sends payment by check or direct deposit once the claim is approved. Most claims are processed within a few weeks, though complex cases may take longer.
If you need help with the process, you can contact the South Carolina State Treasurer's Office directly. Reach the unclaimed property team at treasurer.sc.gov, by phone at 803-737-4771, or by email at unclaimed@sto.sc.gov. Staff can assist with questions about specific claims or help you understand what documents to submit.
Florence County Treasurer Office
The Florence County Treasurer handles county-level financial matters including property tax collection and county fund management. This office is separate from the state unclaimed property program. However, the Treasurer's office can point residents to the right resources for various financial questions. Florence County Treasurer Laurie Carpenter oversees this office and can be reached at (843) 665-3041.
The Florence County Treasurer is located at 180 N Irby Street, MSC-Z, Florence, SC 29501. This office manages county tax payments and related financial services. For state unclaimed property matters, contact the South Carolina State Treasurer directly. For county tax overpayments or refunds that may be sitting unclaimed, the Florence County Treasurer is the right point of contact. Visit florenceco.org/treasurer for current office information.
The screenshot below comes from the South Carolina State Treasurer's unclaimed property search portal, which is the main tool for Florence County residents searching for lost funds.
The state portal is updated regularly as new property is reported by holders. Searching at least once a year is a good habit for any Florence County resident.
Florence County Auditor and Related Offices
Several county offices in Florence County maintain financial records that can connect to unclaimed property situations. The Florence County Auditor, Debra Dennis, manages the county's real property and personal property tax records. Overpayments or credits on tax accounts that are not refunded may eventually become unclaimed property. The Auditor's office is located at 180 N Irby Street, MSC-B, and can be reached at (843) 665-3088. Visit florenceco.org/auditor for more details.
The Florence County Clerk of Court, Doris O'Hara, maintains court records including any funds held by the court system. Court-held funds from settlements, estates, or judgments can sometimes go unclaimed when the rightful party does not collect them. The Clerk of Court is located at 181 N Irby Street, Suite 1100, and can be reached at (843) 665-3031. Visit florenceco.org/clerk-of-court for more information.
The Florence County Delinquent Tax Collector, Lisa Carter, handles tax sales and related accounts. Property owners who have overpaid or who have funds from tax sale proceeds may have unclaimed balances. The Delinquent Tax office is at 180 N Irby Street, MSC-TT, and can be reached at (843) 665-3095. Visit florenceco.org/delinquent-tax for more information.
Note: County offices handle funds tied to local tax and court matters. The state treasurer's office handles most other forms of unclaimed property reported by private businesses and institutions.
South Carolina Unclaimed Property Law and Reporting
The rules governing unclaimed property in South Carolina are found in SC Code Title 27, Chapter 18. This law applies statewide and covers Florence County along with every other county. Businesses and other holders must report dormant property to the state each year by November 1. Before reporting, holders must attempt to contact the owner during a 120-day due diligence window. These contact attempts give owners one last chance to reclaim their property before it transfers to the state.
The reporting and due diligence requirements are detailed in Section 27-18-180 of the South Carolina Code. Once property is transferred to the state, it stays there indefinitely. The state never destroys or transfers ownership of the funds. Your claim is valid no matter how long ago the property was first reported. This protects Florence County residents and their heirs.
Federal Unclaimed Funds for Florence County
Beyond the state program, Florence County residents may also have funds held at the federal level. The U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina holds unclaimed court funds. These come from bankruptcy cases, civil settlements, and other federal court matters. The court's unclaimed funds program is managed separately from the state program. You can reach the court at (803) 765-5436 or visit scb.uscourts.gov/unclaimed-funds to search for federal court funds.
Other federal sources of unclaimed money include tax refunds from the IRS, pension benefits from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and savings bonds that have never been redeemed. Each of these programs has its own search process. Checking all available sources gives Florence County residents the best chance of finding every dollar owed to them.
The image below is from the South Carolina State Treasurer's main program page, which explains how the unclaimed property process works for all South Carolina residents including those in Florence County.
The Treasurer's program page also has answers to common questions about claim timelines, required documents, and how property gets reported in the first place.
Cities and Towns in Florence County
Florence County includes several communities where residents may have unclaimed property on file. Anyone who has lived or worked in any of these areas should search the state database.
Florence is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Other communities in Florence County include Pamplico, Lake City, and Timmonsville. Residents of all these areas should search under every name and address they have used.
Nearby Counties
Florence County borders several other South Carolina counties. Residents who have moved between counties or held accounts in neighboring areas should check multiple counties when searching for unclaimed property.