Can You Keep Money You Find In New York State?

A couple in New York may have hit the jackpot while fishing.

A couple found an old safe at the bottom of a lake in Queens. They were able to bring up the safe and found out that it had $100,000 worth of cash in it.

So the big question is, can they legally keep that money?

According to New York State Law, you can legally keep any money that you find if it is under $20 dollars. So if you are out on a walk and see a five dollar bill on the ground, you can pick it up and keep it without breaking the law.

Now if the value of the money is over $20, like the couple who found the $100,000 in the safe, you cannot keep it legally, at least not right away.

If you find any money that is worth over $20, you are supposed to report it to the police within 10 days. They will then try to contact or find the owner. If after a certain time frame, the money cannot be returned to the rightful owner, you get to keep it.

New York State has different wait periods based on the amount of money.

You could face criminal prosecution if you don't turn over the money you found.

READ MORE: FIND OUT IF NEW YORK STATE OWES YOU ANY MONEY IN UNCLAIMED FUNDS

The good news is that if you lose money, New York State is here to help. They have set up a website that you can file a claim on the money you lost, and if it is found, it can be returned to you.

Right now, New York State has around $13 billion in lost money and they return around $1 million every day back to the rightful owner.

If you lost any money worth over $20, you can file a claim with New York State HERE.