Leaving money unclaimed can feel like a missed opportunity, especially in today's challenging economic landscape. With the cost of living steadily rising and financial responsibilities mounting, it's crucial to ensure that you're receiving every cent that you're owed.
In this article, we'll explore three actionable strategies to help you reclaim unpaid funds. Whether it's outstanding debts, unreimbursed expenses, or overlooked entitlements, these tips will empower you to take control of your finances and retrieve what rightfully belongs to you.
Don't let unclaimed money slip through your fingers – let's get started on maximizing your returns.
Submit product rebates
Many retailers and manufacturers include rebates on certain products to help boost sales. But, if the rebate isn’t automatically applied at the time of purchase, you need to submit it afterwards. It’s often worth taking the time to submit any rebates you’re owed, which usually only takes a few minutes of your time.
Similarly, when you’re at the grocery store and pick up an item that’s discounted for quick sale, check your receipt to make sure you received the proper credits.
File your tax return early
While it may sound counterintuitive, filing your tax return as soon as you can really help. If you’re owed a return for overpaying on your taxes, the sooner you file your taxes, the sooner you’ll get that money back. The government also uses your tax filing information to determine if you’re eligible for a variety of rebates and other programs, including the Canada Carbon Rebate (formerly known as Climate action incentive payment) and the new Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Check for overbilling
In today’s wired world, many of us have multiple digital devices that we use on a regular basis –cellphones, laptops, TVs and more. When we have an issue with these services, we need to have it fixed.
If you’ve contacted your phone, internet or TV provider because you were overcharged, your service wasn’t working properly or because they didn’t follow through with a promise they made, and they haven’t resolved it, there’s a national, independent and impartial dispute resolution service you can count on: the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services, or CCTS.
This organization helps service providers and customers resolve problems. It also has the power to tell service providers how to fix the problem, and often, to issue a credit or refund to the customer. Its services are available in English or French and, as the industry ombudsman, it doesn’t cost you anything. Most complaints filed with the organization are resolved within 30 days.
You can find more information at ccts-cprst.ca.
