You know where there's a secret hoard of cash?
There are several not-so-secret hoards of cash just waiting to be claimed. They have come about due to people losing or forgetting about a range of financial entitlements from inactive bank or superannuation accounts through to unbanked dividends, inheritances and old life insurance policies. Some of these entitlements run into six-figure sums, so it's worth your while to check whether any of that money is yours.

The superannuation industry, for example, has a campaign to try to reunite $6.9 billion in lost super with fund members. Anna Booth, chairperson of the Australian Preservation Fund, which manages some of the lost super, says almost one in three Australians have "lost" or inactive super accounts and may have a windfall waiting for them.

What do I have to do?
There are a number of places where you can do a simple search. The best place to start is with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, which has details on unclaimed monies from banks, credit unions, building societies, life insurers, friendly societies and companies (basically money from shares).

You can search for money online at www.fido.asic.gov.au (just click on the links to "unclaimed money") and there are also links to other websites where you can find more lost dosh.

The Office of State Revenue also has unclaimed money waiting for owners, which includes interest on investments, dividends, council deposits, profits and super benefits. You can search at www.osr.nsw.gov.au (click on "unclaimed money") or phone 1300 366 016.

If you have lived or invested interstate, the OSR and ASIC have links to other state agencies that you can check.

What about all that super?
The super industry has been running its successful "Unclaimed Super" campaign in recent weeks. The campaign was set up to help individuals track down lost super. All you have to do is fill out the relevant forms and industry people will look for you.

This campaign finishes at the end of this week but David Haynes, the executive officer of the Australian Preservation Fund (APF), says the service will continue in a reduced form. Log onto www.unclaimedsuper.com.au for details.

Alternatively, says Haynes, the Tax Office should have a record of your money. He suggests the best first step is to ask your current fund to conduct a search for you using the Tax Office's SuperMatch facility. If your fund is unable to do this, you can contact the Tax Office direct on 131 020 or download a Lost Members Register inquiry form at www.ato.gov.au

Chances are that your lost super has been transferred to a special rollover fund, such as APF. You can search APF's database online at www.apf.net.au. The fund has just released a booklet, Your guide to finding lost super money, which is being mailed to its 1.3 million members. You can request a copy by phoning 1300 361 798.

If you're over 65, superannuation funds are required to transfer your lost super to the Office of State Revenue. So your super may be registered as "unclaimed money" there or with an interstate agency.

One of the shortcomings of this system, says Haynes, is that lost super money must be remitted to the revenue office in the state where the fund is registered not where the member lives. Money held on behalf of deceased fund members is also likely to turn up in state coffers.

Is there anywhere else I can look?
It's also worth contacting the public trustees who administer estates where the next of kin can't be found or established. You never know, Great-Aunt Mildred may have left a legacy without telling you.

Do I have to pay for these searches?
No.

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