State Treasurer Larry Pack announced today his Office’s Unclaimed Property Division has returned nearly $40 million since the fiscal year began on July 1, 2024, surpassing the $28 million that was returned at the close of Fiscal Year 2024.
“With one month left of the current fiscal year, my Office is proud to be returning unclaimed property funds at the fastest pace in state history,” Treasurer Pack said. “This is the people’s money, and my team is thrilled to get this money back to the rightful owners. I encourage all West Virginians to search our database to see if you or your family have unclaimed property in your name.”
During the month of May, the Unclaimed Property Division returned a total of $3,820,112 paid out across 1,708 claims representing 7,389 properties including individuals, businesses and other organizations.
Treasurer Pack presented a $30,902.82 unclaimed property check to Charleston doctor Elizabeth Lantz Brown during Treasury Night at GoMart Ballpark on May 30.
Several unclaimed property checks were presented to local law enforcement agencies from the Office’s March firearms auction during the month of May including the Bridgeport Police Department, the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office. Check presentations were also made at the Bluefield Police Department in April and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office in June.
Since the fiscal year began on July 1, 2024, the Unclaimed Property Division has returned $39,511,570 to rightful owners. The Office currently has more than $475 million worth of listings in its unclaimed property database.
For more information about the unclaimed property program or to find out if the Office is holding any money for you or your family, visit www.WVUnclaimedProperty.gov.
What is Unclaimed Property?
Unclaimed property can include financial accounts or items of value in which the owner has not initiated any activity for one year or longer. Common examples include unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts and unused rebate cards. (While the title includes the word “property,” it does not however include real estate.)
West Virginia’s unclaimed property laws protect the public by ensuring money and property owed to them is returned to them, rather than remaining permanently with financial institutions, business associations, governments and other entities. The Treasurer seeks to reunite the unclaimed property, including uncashed paychecks, stocks, or safe deposit box contents, with its owner.
Nationwide, nearly 33 million people in the United States – one in every 10 – are estimated to have unclaimed property available for them to claim.
How Can I Find Unclaimed Property in My Name?
West Virginians searching for lost financial assets can go to www.WVUnclaimedProperty.gov. In addition to finding property, the website will also help you track a claim.
A demonstration of how to use the Unclaimed Property search site is available on the Treasury’s YouTube page, at: https://youtu.be/K09yQ7YNKlE.
To search for lost financial assets outside West Virginia, visit www.MissingMoney.com.