State finds missing property

Published 9:59 pm Tuesday, August 12, 2008

State Treasurer Kay Ivey announced today that more than 2,100 listings with Marengo County addresses are currently on the state’s unclaimed property database. This represents $515,000 waiting to be claimed by the people of Marengo County.

Treasurer Ivey has declared the month of August as “Unclaimed Property Awareness Month” and encourages all Alabamians to see if their name is on the list.

“Unclaimed property can be in the form of uncashed checks, stocks, bonds, dividend checks, utility deposits and even items found in abandoned safe deposit boxes. After a business has held unclaimed property for a number of years set by law, they turn it over to the state treasury and we hold it until individuals come forward to claim it,” Ivey said.

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Ivey went on to announce that over $52 million has been received this fiscal year in unclaimed property, and over $19 million has been returned to the citizens of Alabama. Last year, a record amount of $23 million in unclaimed property was paid out to 26,770 claimants.

“So much hard work goes into collecting these funds from businesses, banks, and insurance companies that are unable to contact property owners,” Ivey said. “All the hard work is worthwhile when owners are located and are able to connect with their assets.”

Ivey encourages all Alabamians to search for their name on the Unclaimed Property database by visiting the Treasury Web site at www.treasury.alabama.gov. Claims may be filed online or by calling the Treasurer’s Office and requesting a claim form. The Unclaimed Property division of the Treasurer’s Office can be reached at 1-888-844-8400 Monday through Friday 7 am to 6 pm.

“We’ve got money that belongs to people in every nook and cranny in Alabama,” Ivey added. “We want to send checks to Demopolis, Linden, Sweet Water and all over Marengo County. Go online or call us, and if you find your name and you can prove you are who you say you are, my staff and I would love to send you a check.”