Santa Clara Co. database available to file claims for uncashed checks

SANTA CLARA CO., Calif. -- Anyone with an uncashed, expired check they received from Santa Clara County may still have a chance to collect their money with help from an online database to file a claim.

The county's Finance Agency has 3,106 unclaimed checks that in all amount to $935,000, county officials said Thursday.

Individuals or businesses who received a check from the county in exchange for their work can follow up through a database on the county's Controller-Treasurer Department website.

The finance agency verifies that the check wasn't already reissued during their review of the claim, which can take about 45 days to process, county officials said.

The unclaimed checks range from less than a dollar to more than $10,000, according to county officials.

"We want to make sure businesses get paid for products and services they provide to the County, even if they forgot to cash them and later became expired," Supervisor Joe Simitian said in a statement.

"Online services make transactions easier and save time for both the County and the public," said Simitian, chairman the Board of Supervisors' Finance and Government Operations Committee.

Checks can't be cashed 180 days after they were issued, but county code allows checks it sent to be reissued if they're less than two and a half years old from the date they were first sent out, county officials said.

"We understand that time is money," county Assistant Controller-Treasurer George Doorley said in a statement.

"That is why vendors can now remotely search online the County's database for stale warrants and file claims electronically right from their home or office to expedite the process," Doorley said.

The database can be viewed online here. Questions on claims can made by calling (408) 299-5254 or sending an email to uncashed.warrantsfin@sccgov.org.