Over $27 Million in Unused Gift Cards Recovered by DiNapoli’s Office in 2023
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is urging New Yorkers to keep track of the gift cards they received during the holidays. Unused gift card balances can be turned over to the Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds (OUF) after five years of inactivity. In 2023, the Office recovered over $27 million from gift cards. For this reason, everyone should check for unclaimed funds.
“Many people don’t realize that after 5 years, unused gift card balances are turned over to the Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds,” DiNapoli said. “Now is a great time to check for unclaimed funds and use those gift cards you received over the holidays to avoid possible inactivity fees or having the money turned over to my office.”
Statewide, New York City residents are owed the most in unclaimed funds stemming from gift cards, totaling nearly $40 million, followed by Long Island residents at $10.8 million and Hudson Valley residents at $7.4 million.