Treasurer’s Office Looks For Rightful Owners Of Long Forgotten Items

The State Treasurer’s Office wants Missourians to know it has a lot of their stuff, just waiting to be picked up. The items are from old, abandoned safe deposit boxes. Last year, $20-Million worth of unclaimed property did find its way back to its owners. Usually, old papers, stamp and coin collections, even old trading cards are found in the safe deposit boxes. Assistant Deputy State Treasurer Scott Harper has worked the Unclaimed Property Division for 18 years. He says sometimes the contents’ worth is known only to the person who put the items into the safe deposit box. Officials say about 30 to 40 percent of the property claimed makes its way back into the hands of the rightful owners. Every couple of years, the state holds an auction to get rid of some of the items found, but the proceeds are held in perpetuity until the real owners step forward and claim their belongings. If you think you migth have a claim, check out the website – www.showmemoney.com.