Questions?
We're glad you asked

Q: How can I be sure that this is legitimate?

A: It's natural to be careful when a company you don't know contacts you about an asset you didn't know you had. However EquiSearch has been in business for 20 years, and has made successful recoveries for more than 20,000 people.

You can find complete background information in the About section of this site, read testimonials from past clients or contact us for more information with absolutely no cost or obligation.

Q: How can I own an asset and not know it?

A: There are basically two ways this usually happens. The first is that you set up an account, time passes, you move and the paperwork doesn’t keep up. The second is that you inherit an asset and aren’t notified. In a highly mobile society, where many people have multiple bank and investment accounts, and blended families are common, this happens more often than you might think.

Q: How did EquiSearch find me?

A: We are selected to search for lost asset holders by banks, mutual fund companies, publicly traded companies, bond issuers and other financial institutions. EquiSearch specializes in "deep search", using proprietary databases and search techniques, combined with public records, to locate people basic search can't find. Our clients include many Fortune 500 companies, as well as smaller regional institutions.

Q: Who does EquiSearch work for?

A: Initially we work for the institutions that engage us to perform a search. They typically choose EquiSearch because they want to do everything possible to find lost owners. It doesn't benefit them to turn assets over to the state government. In fact, it is likely to cost them money in administrative expenses.

However if you choose to engage EquiSearch to pursue a recovery, we will also work for you. We'll do everything possible to give you control over your asset as quickly and easily as possible.

Q: What information will I need to provide?

A: Depending on the type of asset being recovered, you may have to provide proof of your identity or other verification that you are the rightful owner. Normally, we will ask you only for confirmation of information we already have. In addition, EquiSearch is required by its institutional clients to be SAS 70 audited annually. An SAS 70 audit ensures among other things that a company has installed security and controls to safeguard the privacy of customer information.

Q: What are your fees?

A: EquiSearch typically charges a contingent fee based on the amount we recover for you. So if we don't make a recovery, you don't pay a fee.

Q: Why do you charge a fee?

A: By the time we locate an asset owner, EquiSearch has already invested time and resources in search. In fact, without our work, you might never have located the asset. Institutions don’t usually have the resources to perform deep search, and are generally not required by law to do so. In fact, institutions don't pay EquiSearch to search. It's up to you, as the person who stands to gain, to pay our contingent fee.

Many people have told us that our fees were fair and reasonable in return for taking control of an asset they might otherwise never have found.

Q: How long will my recovery take?

A: A typical recovery takes four to eight weeks to process depending on the financial institution holding the asset. The time your recovery takes may vary, based on the the specifics of your case, and can take longer depending on the circumstances. Your Recovery Specialist can give you an individual answer. EquiSearch is not paid until your case is successfully concluded, so we share your interest in moving ahead as quickly as possible.

Q: What do I do to get started?

A: Call the Recovery Specialist named in your letter from EquiSearch. Or call our general number, 1 800-477-3272 and ask to speak to someone in our Recovery Department.

back to the top