The State Unclaimed Property Division is publicizing the fact that more than $450-Million worth of unclaimed property is being held by the state until the rightful owners come forward to claim it.
Much of the property is money or personal items that might have been forgotten or left in a safe deposit box by someone who has died. Scott Harper, Director of the Division, says that while the property is often old coins or paper money, it could be insurance policies, stocks, tax refunds, or investments that have matured.
The Division is part of the State Treasurer’s office. Treasurer Sarah Steelman says her office has returned $22-Million to citizens in the last year. People wanting to find out whether they are entitled to property being held by the state can log onto www.showmemoney.com to search by county, name, or Social Security number. Unclaimed property will be held in storage for a period of two years. After that it will be sold at auction with the proceeds being kept in perpetuity for the owners or their heirs.
Download/Listern: State Treasurer Sarah Steelman (:45 MP3)
