Questions and answers

In 2023 the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed in Tyler v. Hennepin County that a county cannot keep more than the tax debt it was owed. The ruling was unanimous, and it applies across the country. It means the money left over after a tax sale is the former owner’s property, protected by the Constitution.

No, this is not a scam. We do not request upfront payments, credit card information, or bank details. We encourage caution if you receive unexpected calls. Our sole purpose is to inform individuals about money they are owed and assist them in claiming it.

Your information was obtained from public records. When a property is sold at a tax sale, the county maintains a public list of any excess funds and their rightful owners. Your name appeared on this list, which is accessible for your review.

We understand why it sounds too good to be true. Unclaimed money is common. State governments hold more than 50 billion dollars belonging to ordinary people who were never informed. You are one of many, and helping people recover it is an established line of work.

No. Hammond Recovery Solutions is a private, independent company. We do not work for any county, court or government office.

Yes, there is a deadline. Surplus funds must be claimed before the escheatment date established by state law. After this date, the funds are forfeited to the government and may no longer be recoverable. Filing a claim promptly is strongly recommended.

When your property was sold, the sale only needed to cover what you owed. If it sold for $100,000 and $30,000 was owed in taxes and costs, the $70,000 left over is not the county’s or the lender’s to keep. It is set aside for you as the owner at the time of the sale.

You may hear it called surplus funds, excess funds, an overage or a tax surplus. Whatever the name, it is your money.

Surplus funds go to the person who owned the property when it was sold. That means you qualify because you were the owner at the time of the sale. If you’d like, we can send you the auction results that show the sale date and your name as the owner.

You did not miss anything. The county most likely mailed a notice to the last address it had for you, which was the property that was sold. Because you were no longer there, the letter was returned, along with hundreds of others like it. That is exactly why we reach out.

There are no upfront costs. We work on a contingency basis and are paid only from the recovered funds when you receive payment. Our fee is a set percentage, shown in your agreement before you sign, and it includes all research, title work, notarized forms, and follow-up.

To submit your claim, we will need:

• A valid government-issued photo ID
• If applicable, please provide documentation that demonstrates your connection to the property owner, such as records related to a business, trust, or estate.

We will arrange and cover the cost of any required notarization.

Each claim is unique. Some are paid within weeks, while others may take several months. We will share your expected timeline as soon as we know it and keep you updated until your funds arrive.

We operate in all 50 states. We adhere to the specific rules and deadlines of each state where your property was sold.

Often, yes. Heirs can usually claim funds that belonged to a relative. It normally takes a death certificate and papers showing who the heirs are, and we will walk you through it.