How to Run an Unclaimed Money Finder's Business

Learn about the various types of unclaimed monies and how local laws in your area govern professional money finders. Examples of unclaimed monies include inactive bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks and stock certificates. Individual states often have laws to govern the conduct of money finders. Some states, have passed laws that make it illegal to charge finders' fees once unclaimed property is on a state's list. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators' website contains information about each state's unclaimed property laws.
Specialize in one or more areas of unclaimed monies. Examples of specialization include lost life insurance, state-held monies and federal agency funds. When choosing a specialty, compare your interests with the fields available. Also consider whether data can be readily obtained on the people who have unclaimed funds in a particular area.
Obtain the proper licensing and credentials as required by your national or local laws. Some states, for example, may require a professional money finder to be bonded and/or a licensed private investigator. If the unclaimed monies area that you choose to pursue does not require additional licensing or education, you can begin your business immediately.
Establish your finder’s fee and create the necessary contracts. Some states have laws on allowable fees and contract provisions. Alaska's Unclaimed Property Act, for example, stipulates a contract must be in writing, not exceed six months, specify fees to be charged and state the nature and value of property and the value of the owner's share after the fee is deducted. In addition, property equal to or greater than $500 cannot be subject to a finder's fee greater than 10 percent.Some professional money finders increase their fee rates if a transaction involves a great deal of research. For example, the fee may increase from 1 percent to nearly 5 percent depending upon the nature of the work. State laws must still be followed when increasing fees based upon the work involved.
Find records of unclaimed funds. In the United States, every state has an unclaimed property department and a searchable online database, according to the National Unclaimed Property Network. A free national database is available at Missing Money. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators' website also provides a listing of states that have searchable databases. Unclaimed monies from insurance policies and United States and Canadian government agencies can also be researched at the National Unclaimed Property Network.
Contact property owners by telephone, email or postal letter.
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How to Become a Rebate Processor

Know work-at-home scams exist. Even if the website seems professional, the people in the pictures look honest, and the testimonials sound legitimate, it still could be a scam. If you need to initially pay money upfront to receive a starter packet or equipment, or even pay for a processing fee, this should be a sign the company could be a scam and you need to do your research. Visit the Better Business Bureau and your state's Attorney General's office. You can also check with your local consumer protection agency (See Resources below). Do this before you pay out any money for a job opportunity.
Know about rebate processing scams specifically. Rebate processing jobs that advertise you can earn hundreds of dollars a day are not data processing jobs like one might think. Rather, you will actually learn how to do affiliate marketing, which means you are selling someone else's product for a commission. With 'rebate processing' jobs in particular, you pay a fee for a kit or information of some sort where you learn how to successfully market various products that have a rebate offer. Someone buys a product from one of your advertisements and you earn money. In reality, not only do you pay for the initial information on how to do this, you have to pay for your own advertising. In the end, you could make money, but you also could lose a lot, too.
Know about real rebate processing jobs. There are actually jobs out there where you can process rebates, some from home. This is the real deal. You check UPCs to see if they match up and do some data entry. These jobs do not pay hundreds of dollars, but rather something like $0.15 per rebate or an hourly salary at or just above minimum wage, in essence, a pay rate in line with typical data processing work.
Find real rebate processing jobs. There are several job databases that you can search like CareerBuilder.com, but also, check out some websites dedicated to sorting out real jobs from scams like Scams.com where people post their findings and experience on different companies. In addition, apply for large rebate processing companies who are contracted by large retail companies. Two such rebate processing companies are Continental Promotions Group (CPG), which processes rebates for companies like Lowe's, and Parago, which processes rebates for companies like Staples.
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