Banks and building societies admit they have millions sitting in dormant accounts, waiting to be claimed, some of which has been untouched for 15 years. The good news is some of it may be waiting for you to claim, especially if you have deceased relatives.
New efforts to reunite people with their lost money can result in surprising windfalls for those of us who, let's face it, could do with the cash.
Imagine what you could do with a few thousand landing on your doormat out of the blue!
Financial institutions are getting on the case because a bill currently going through the UK Parliament will be asking them to transfer cash in dormant accounts to charities, although customers will still be able to claim lost money.
An organisation called Tracesmart can help find any money you're entitled to and the site mylostaccount.org.uk, run by the British Bankers' Association, also matches up accounts with former customers.
You can request an online search free of charge, either as an account holder or as next of kin, or apply by post.
Unexpected cash boosts are likely to happen for thousands of surprised savers through this scheme and banks and building societies such as Alliance and Leicester, Britannia and Nationwide are all being proactive in contacting customers. Halifax says it has handed out more than £16 million already.
So if you or your family think you may have hidden assets, contact your bank sooner rather than later and find out what they are doing to refund the lost millions.
