This is what the letter said that I received in the mail. Prior and Associates are offering to recover these funds for me for a 10% commission. Attached is a form for me to sign and date. They are not asking for any other information from me. I suspect a scam. A serch of the company name through BBB yields nothing. Any comments or suggestions?

There are companies that do searches of public records looking for unclaimed money.  They may have found something like an uncashed check that was escheated to your state.  You can get the money yourself by going directly to the source of the public info, but that assumes you have some idea what the funds could be.  You can also contact the company (they won't tell you what the money is unless you sign a contract) but if they are legit, you won't have to shell out anything in advance.  They recover the funds as your agent and give you the net amount after their fee.

10% does seem like a reasonable fee, I have heard of coompanies charging 40 and 50% for the same service. That in my opinion would be a rip. One word of caution, don't give out any sensitive personal info such as SSAN or DL number, to prevent possible identity theft.

sent an email saying they'd found unclaimed money in my name. I gave them (I think) $20 and got a claim form. GEICO had tried to refund some money after I moved, and the money wound up being sent to the State (CA). I got $280 after filling out the claim form and mailing it in.
I've gotten MANY further emails since then again wanting to sell me the secret of this same $280 that's just waiting for me. Somehow I don't think it's still there.

In most states, unclaimed money (from inactive bank accounts, returned checks, etc.) eventually gets turned over to the state.  In CA, you can search your name on the state controller's web site (http://www.sco.ca.gov/col/ucp/).  I don't know about every state, but many states have free searches.  There are also services that compile all of the unclaimed property information from each state so that you can do one search instead of 50, but I assume most of these sites charge something for use.  There are legitimate heir hunting and property recovery businesses and, at least in the case of heir hunters, charge a percentage of the recovered property as a fee.  In short, if you don't disclose any sensitive personal information to whoever contacted you, there is little risk (other than possible spam); however, it is very likely you can fiund the property yourself for free if you spend a few minutes to look for it.

THERE A LEGITIMATE WEBSITE CALLED FOUNDMONEY THAT ONLY CHARGES $10.00.

its been featured on the news and other popuar show on satelite and cable

IT WAS ON THE OPRAHWINFREY SHOW!

Negotiate the fee!

I have actually been through this a few times. A couple of sources I found myself using the state's internet sites. Two I couldn't find so I used one of these "companies". I offered 5% instead of the 10% they wanted and they jumped at it (they got $75). I should have offered less. Anything they get is pretty much free money to them. If you know how much it is and it is a large number, maybe offer a fixed $ instead of %.

The people learned how to do this are from those make "money at home with your computer" adds you see. Chances are the company is really a housewife in a bathrobe drinking coffee and surfing the net. They find the money first, then they find you. All you need are some search skills. Great idea, huh?

If you go with one of these companies be sure your agreement is that they get paid only after you actually get the funds. Like another poster said, they may be chasing duplicate money or even no longer available funds.

This is like winning the lottery so everyone should try it. Look for deceased relatives too - in any state they lived. If you can prove you are a ligitmate heir, it is considered inheritance and you can get your legal share.

If you find some, or need more help, I'll only take 2.5%. lol