A forgotten check from several years ago might still be waiting for its rightful owner. Sacramento Municipal Utility District, better known as SMUD, has published a new list of customers and vendors who never cashed checks issued between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. The utility is asking eligible recipients to come forward before a December deadline. The announcement, released on November 6, 2026, is part of SMUD’s annual effort to return unclaimed funds. The names of individuals and businesses associated with the outstanding checks are available on the utility’s official website through December 21.
For Sacramento-area residents, the notice offers a reason to revisit an easily overlooked financial detail. People move, change mailing addresses, close accounts, or forget about checks they received years earlier. A payment that once seemed insignificant may never have reached its intended recipient’s bank account.
SMUD has not announced a universal payment or a new rebate program. The money belongs to specific individuals and organizations named in the published list. Anyone hoping to recover a payment must first verify that their name appears there. The announcement does not provide a single amount that applies to all eligible recipients. To submit a claim, individuals can contact SMUD at 916-732-7440. They should be prepared to provide the claimant’s name, current address, telephone number, and the address associated with the period from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. These details help the utility identify the person or organization entitled to the outstanding check. Claims can also be submitted by mail to Sacramento Municipal Utility District Unclaimed Monies, 6201 S Street, Mail Stop B352, Sacramento, CA 95817-1818. Anyone unsure about documentation requirements should contact SMUD directly before mailing sensitive personal information.
The notice may be especially relevant to people who lived in Sacramento several years ago but have since relocated. A former customer could potentially appear on the list even if they no longer receive electricity service from SMUD. The critical requirement is establishing that the claimant is the legitimate payee.
There are also provisions for deceased recipients. According to SMUD, replacement checks are issued only to the original payee or, when proof of death is provided, to the payee’s beneficiary. Family members who believe a deceased relative may have an outstanding payment should ask the utility what documentation is required.
The deadline is firm. Claims must be submitted by 5 p.m. on December 21, 2026. SMUD states that unclaimed funds become its property after that time under California Government Code Sections 50050 through 50057. Residents should therefore avoid waiting until the final days to investigate a possible payment. The utility publishes these lists annually to help locate the rightful owners of money that has not been collected. The process also highlights the importance of keeping contact information current with utilities and other service providers. Consumers should remain cautious about unsolicited messages promising refunds. The safest approach is to begin at SMUD’s official website and use the contact information provided in the utility’s announcement. Never share account passwords, verification codes, or banking credentials with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. Not everyone will find their name on the list, and the announcement should not be confused with a general financial assistance program. But for an eligible recipient, a brief check could lead to the recovery of money that would otherwise remain unclaimed.
Share this information with friends, neighbors, and family members who live or previously lived in the Sacramento area. Someone you know may have a forgotten check waiting for them, and the opportunity to claim it will not remain open indefinitely.
