Your Old Bank Account Might Still Have Money! Here’s How to Check and Claim It Easily

Have you ever wondered what happened to that old salary account you once used? Or a fixed deposit your parents opened years ago? Or a bank account you stopped using after shifting to a new city?

What if that forgotten account still has money waiting for you?

Across India, thousands of people have unclaimed deposits—money that belongs to them but has been untouched for over a decade. Many don’t even realise that their funds are still safe and recoverable. To help citizens get their rightful money back, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a user-friendly platform called UDGAM and is also running special awareness camps across the country.

This article explains in clear, simple language how unclaimed deposits work and how you can recover your forgotten funds in just a few steps.

✅ What Are Unclaimed Deposits?

Unclaimed deposits are bank accounts or instruments where:

  • No activity (like deposits or withdrawals) has taken place for 10 years, and

  • The account holder has not contacted the bank during this period.

These can include:

  • Savings accounts

  • Current accounts

  • Fixed and recurring deposits

  • Closed loan accounts with leftover balances

  • Old demand drafts and pay orders

  • Unadjusted NEFT credits

  • Prepaid card balances

If you haven’t used a bank account in a very long time, chances are it may have been marked as an unclaimed deposit.

✅ Where Does This Money Go After 10 Years?

If an account is inactive for a decade, the money is transferred to the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund, managed by the RBI.
But don’t worry—the money is still yours, and you can claim it anytime, even after 20 or 30 years.

The RBI keeps this fund safe and uses it to promote financial awareness among citizens.

✅ Why Do People Forget Their Bank Accounts?

People often lose track of accounts due to:

  • Switching jobs and salary accounts

  • Relocating to another city

  • Not updating contact information like mobile number or email

  • Bank mergers creating confusion

  • Senior citizens misplacing deposit details

  • Families not knowing about accounts of deceased relatives

It’s more common than you think!

✅ The RBI’s Solution: UDGAM Portal

To simplify the search process, the RBI has launched UDGAM – Unclaimed Deposits Gateway to Access Information, a central online platform where you can check if you have any forgotten money.

Through UDGAM, you can:

  • Search across multiple banks in one place

  • Enter simple details and see if any unclaimed deposits belong to you

  • Find out which bank holds the money

  • Learn how to file a claim

As of March 2024, 30 major banks are already on the portal, covering almost 90% of unclaimed deposits.

✅ What Information Do You Need to Search on UDGAM?

You only need:

  • Name of the account holder

  • Bank name(s) you want to search

Plus any one of the following:

  • PAN

  • Passport number

  • Voter ID

  • Driving licence number

  • Date of birth

It takes less than two minutes to run a search.

✅ 3 Simple Steps to Claim Your Unclaimed Money

Once you find your forgotten deposit, here’s how to get it back:

✅ Step 1: Visit any branch of the bank

It does NOT have to be the original branch where the account was first opened.

✅ Step 2: Submit a claim form with KYC documents

Commonly accepted documents:

  • Aadhaar

  • PAN

  • Passport / Voter ID / Driving licence

If claiming money of a deceased relative, you may need:

  • Death certificate

  • Legal heir certificate or succession documents

✅ Step 3: Receive your money after verification

The bank will verify your identity and details through its system.
Your money—along with any interest due—will be credited to your current account.

✅ What Is a UDRN?

Every unclaimed account is assigned a Unique Deposit Reference Number (UDRN). This number:

  • Helps banks identify the deposit

  • Keeps the account holder’s information confidential

  • Ensures accuracy and prevents duplicate claims

You don’t need to know this number; the bank checks it internally.

✅ RBI Is Conducting Special Camps Across India

To make the process even easier, the RBI is organising district-level camps all over the country till December 2025.
These camps help people:

  • Understand the concept of unclaimed deposits

  • Learn how to use UDGAM

  • Get help with documents

  • File claims easily

These camps are especially helpful for:

  • Senior citizens

  • Rural communities

  • Families tracking deposits of deceased relatives

  • People with limited digital access

✅ Are All Banks Included in UDGAM?

Most major banks are already onboard, and more will join soon.
If your bank is not listed, you can still:

  • Search for unclaimed deposits on the bank’s official website

  • Visit any branch for assistance

✅ Why You Should Check for Unclaimed Deposits Today

You may find:

  • Money you forgot years ago

  • Fixed deposits that have grown over time

  • Old accounts you never closed

  • Deposits belonging to family members

It takes just a few minutes and could recover money that is rightfully yours.

✅ How to Avoid Unclaimed Deposits in the Future

Here are some simple tips:

  • Keep your KYC details updated

  • Maintain a list of all your bank accounts

  • Inform your family about active deposits

  • Close unused or dormant accounts

  • Enable automatic FD renewal or set reminders

A little organisation can prevent money from being forgotten again.

✅ Final Thought: Your Forgotten Money Is Still Waiting for You

Unclaimed deposits are not lost—they are simply waiting to be claimed.
Thanks to the UDGAM portal and RBI’s nationwide camps, tracking and recovering your old money is now easier, faster, and more transparent.

All you need to do is:

  1. Search your name on UDGAM

  2. Visit your bank with KYC

  3. Submit a claim and collect your money

Take a few minutes today—your forgotten money might be just a search away.

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