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What is lost and unclaimed money?

Life gets busy—moving house, changing jobs, helping family—and it’s easy to lose track of money. Maybe a bank or fund tried to contact you at an old address, or you forgot about an account you opened years ago.

Lost or unclaimed money can include:

Bank accounts or term deposits you’ve forgotten about
Superannuation linked to an old job
Dividends from shares going to a closed bank account.

When this happens, the money often ends up with a government authority.

That’s where Cash Tracer helps. We work with you and the relevant government authority to confirm your identity and return your money safely—either by bank transfer or cheque.

Explore our common questions to learn more about the process and fees, and contact us today to start reclaiming your lost funds.

How it works

Cash Tracer may reach out if we identify money listed in your name. You can also contact us for assistance in recovering funds you are aware of.

Identify lost funds

We will contact you with information about lost money thats in your name, or you can contact us directly to undertake a search.

Recover the funds

Liaising between you and the relevant authority, we support you to collect relevant information and prove your identity.

Return to you

The recovered funds are transferred to you, in most cases via the Cash Tracer Client Trust Account. In consultation with you, a service fee to Cash Tracer is paid at this time.

Success stories

“After moving house, a financial institution I previously had a long-term investment with changed its product offering. When John contacted me from Cash Tracer I felt assured he was genuine, supported by the Cash Tracer licence and compliance information available on their website. The process was very simple and I highly recommend Cash Tracer to other people.”

David

“After moving overseas in 2009, I lost track of some superannuation funds. John from Cash Tracer did a great job in locating a number of different unclaimed money parcels and made the process really simple to recover the funds.”

Craig

Common questions

Is my personal information safe?

Yes, your personal information during the recovery and return process is safe with Cash Tracer.

We understand that in today’s world – where scams are unfortunately common – it’s natural to be cautious. At Cash Tracer we are committed to client transparency and security of your information.

You can read the Cash Tracer Privacy Policy outlined on this website. Additionally, our team is available to meet in person or connect via video call to guide you through the recovery and return process, as well as explain how your information is protected.

How long does the return process take?

Cash Tracer aims to complete the recovery process within 90 days of accepting the Engagement Agreement, provided all necessary documents and information (including identification and current and past contact details) are supplied. If this timeframe cannot be met due to external processing or other factors, Cash Tracer will notify you in writing regarding any delays.

What sort of information do I need to provide?

The information required depends on the government authority involved. Commonly requested documents include:

Certified Primary Identification: Passport, driver’s license, or proof of age card.
Certified Secondary Identification: Medicare card, Centrelink Health Care Card, or a credit, debit, or account card issued by a bank, building society, or credit union.
Certified Evidence of Current and Past Address: For example, a Council Rates invoice showing your name and address, as registered with the government authority.

In some cases, the government authority may request additional information after the application process begins. You may also have multiple points of contact with Cash Tracer during this process.

What fees are involved?

Searches:
If you engage Cash Tracer to conduct searches of your name with government authorities, there is an upfront search fee of $65 plus GST, payable before any search begins.
If funds are found and you choose to proceed with Cash Tracer for the recovery, a service fee of 12% of the recovered amount will be charged, payable during the return process. This is subject to a minimum service fee of $400 plus GST, less the initial search fee already paid.

Money Recovery and Return:
If Cash Tracer approaches you after locating funds in your name, a service fee of 12% of the recovered amount will be charged, payable during the return process. This is also subject to a minimum service fee of $400 plus GST.

What if no lost or unclaimed money is found?

Searches:
If you engage Cash Tracer to conduct searches of your name with government authorities, an upfront search fee of $65 plus GST is required, payable before any search begins. Cash Tracer will provide a report detailing the searches conducted. If no money is found, this information will be included in the report.

Money Recovery and Return:
In some cases, identified lost money cannot be recovered, often due to insufficient identification or address evidence for the name listed with the government authority.
If the lost money cannot be recovered, Cash Tracer does not charge a service fee for recovery and return.

Are there tax implications on returned money?

The tax implications depend on the government authority from which the money is being recovered and returned. Cash Tracer does not provide financial or tax advice. If you have questions regarding the tax implications of returned money, it is recommended that you consult a specialist in this area.

Let’s talk

Ready to find your lost funds? Reach out to Cash Tracer today, and our team will guide you through every step of the process. Whether you have questions or are ready to get started, we’re here to help. Just give us a call or drop us a message—we’re here to make a complex process simple.