07/02/09 - 03:59 PM
Florida has returned more than $173 million in unclaimed property over the last budget year.
Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink says that’s the most since the program began 48 years ago. The 2008-09 budget year ended Tuesday.
That still leaves the state with 8.8 million unclaimed accounts valued at more than $1 billion.
Officials say it’s mostly dormant accounts in banks and other financial institutions, unclaimed utility deposits, insurance benefits, premium refunds, uncashed checks and trust accounts.
It also includes watches, jewelry, coins, stamps and historic items - all from abandoned safe deposit boxes.
“Florida citizens went online and called us and found out we were holding property that belongs to them and we got it back in their hands. That’s a big economic stimulus,” Sink said.
“One of the reasons that we had a record this year is because, times are tough and every penny counts and people are going to www.nfltreasurehunt.org looking around for any found money that might belong to them. And, I think our Division of Unclaimed Property has done a much better job of publicizing and encouraging people. It’s a lot simpler now to be able to claim you rightfully owned property.”
To see if there is any unclaimed property under your name or if you want to claim property, you can call the toll free at: 1-88-VALUABLE. You can also log online at http://www.FLTreasureHUNT.org.