Unclaimed wages, such as uncashed payroll checks, are primarily governed by state escheatment laws rather than a specific federal requirement for the retention of the actual funds. While the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) dictates how long payroll records must be preserved for audit purposes, the disposition of abandoned property is handled at the state level. Compliance with these laws typically requires employers to perform " due diligence " by attempting to contact the former employee at their last known address to notify them of the outstanding wages. If the funds remain unclaimed after a state-designated dormancy period, the employer must file a formal report and remit the abandoned amounts to the appropriate state treasury. These procedures ensure that the state can hold the funds in trust for the individual, preventing the employer from realizing a financial windfall from unpaid compensation.