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The money is real — which is exactly why scammers circle it. Here's how to tell a legitimate recovery firm from a predator.
Surplus claimants are usually people who recently went through a foreclosure — financially stressed, unfamiliar with court procedure, and surprised to learn money exists. That combination invites pressure tactics, inflated fees, and outright theft.
Walk away if you see any of these:
For funds already transferred to the Illinois State Treasurer, the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act caps finder fees at 10%, and agreements signed within 24 months of the transfer are void. For court-held surpluses, there's no fixed percentage cap, but judges can review recovery agreements for reasonableness before approving a payout. A written, transparent contingency agreement is the standard.
A legitimate firm reviews the records free, explains your do-it-yourself option, puts a single contingency fee in writing before any work, never touches your money directly (the court disburses), and welcomes you verifying everything with the clerk's office. That's the standard we hold ourselves to at Lakeshore.
Possibly — reputable firms do find claimants through public records. Verify independently: look up your foreclosure case at the county clerk and search the Illinois Treasurer's I-Cash database before responding to anyone.
Not automatically, but lump-sum buyouts are usually for far less than the claim is worth. Compare against a contingency arrangement before deciding.
Check the foreclosure docket yourself, confirm our written fee agreement before signing, and call us at 773-270-9629 with any question. We'll tell you plainly if you don't need us.
Get a free, no-obligation records review. No upfront cost — we're only paid if you recover.
