Unclaimed Money: GMA Shows the Money; Do You Have Some Waiting?

ABC's Good Morning America has given the nation unclaimed money fever. The show's Show Me the Money series set out to show Americans that roughly 1 in 10 people have unclaimed money waiting for their out there, somewhere. So they searched the names of 286 show staffers who work on GMA's studio and offices, revealing surprising results.

Good Morning America enlisted the help of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and his team in the mission. DiNapoli and his team handle weighty matters like state paychecks and pensions but also do their own version of a prize patrol, the show said.

We have a broad mission and an important task and a very dedicated group of employees, and the happiest ones are those who work in unclaimed funds because they get to give people money back, DiNapoli told GMA. That always puts a smile on everyone's face.

The state of New York, for instance, holds $11 billion in unclaimed funds -- a remarkable number for just one source. That's more than any other state, but there are 49 more citizens can try to crack to see if they have unclaimed money in their names.

As the GMA staffers including anchors and producers were searched, the investigators looked for the money in the same places where American citizens supposedly have unclaimed money -- forgotten apartment security deposits, uncashed overtime checks, lost insurance refunds and much more.

In GMA's staff research, it was found that host Robin Roberts had unclaimed money from her old cable company, while Roberts' makeup artist, Elena George, had money waiting too. Others had unclaimed money as well, like weekend co-anchor Bianna Golodryga, who had unclaimed cash from her college years and GMA news anchor Josh Elliott who had money from his days at ESPN.

In all, GMA searched 286 staff names and found money for 24 people -- or 12 percent. The grand total: $43,726.

Do you have unclaimed money waiting on you? GMA says the 50 states and the District of Columbia currently hold $32 billion in unclaimed funds alone.

Here are 10 tips from GMA to see if you have cash waiting.