“Forgotten Money” in Brazilian Banks Reaches R$10.6 Billion in February

Image: Money and banking in Brazil — source: wise.com/us/blog/money-and-banks-in-brazil

The amount of “forgotten money” sitting in Brazilian financial institutions has climbed to R$10.6 billion as of February, according to new data released by the Central Bank. Authorities warn that the funds remain available for withdrawal but continue untouched by millions of account holders.

Central Bank statistics show that 47 million individuals have money waiting to be claimed, totaling just over R$8 billion. The remaining R$2.4 billion belongs to companies.

The Brazilian government notes that most unclaimed amounts fall between R$10 and R$100. About 10% of individuals have balances that may reach R$1,000, while only 1.99% have more than that available for withdrawal.

Since the program began, R$14.2 billion has already been returned to citizens and businesses. Officials say that if Brazilians do not retrieve the remaining funds, the government is studying a legal pathway to redirect the money toward a program aimed at easing the financial burden of heavily indebted families in the country.

To check whether you have unclaimed funds, visit the Central Bank’s official Valores a Receber website — the only legitimate source for this service.