Search in order of likelihood, not convenience
State portals hold the largest volume of consumer money and the loosest deadlines, so start there. Settlements are the opposite — smaller amounts, but the deadline is absolute, so check them on a schedule.
Search every version of your name
Records are entered by whoever reported the property, so misspellings, maiden names, middle initials, and abbreviated business names all produce separate results. Search each variant on each portal.
Re-check annually
Holders report to states once a year. An empty result today does not mean an empty result next spring, which is why monitoring beats a one-time search.
How to avoid the fake tools
Any site that charges to show whether money exists, or that asks for payment by wire, crypto, or gift card, is not a legitimate search tool. Official searches are free and never pressure you.