Unclaimed Property Could Provide Extra Cash this Christmas
For Release On: December 14, 2010
Baton Rouge: The holiday season is in full swing, and Louisiana residents who need a little extra jingle in their pockets this Christmas may have an unexpected surprise waiting for them in the State Treasury, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
“The holidays can be rough for Louisiana families who are struggling to make ends meet in today’s economy,” said Treasurer Kennedy. “Every little bit helps, and it’s a free service to check to see if the state is holding unclaimed money for you or someone you know.”
The State Treasury currently has more than $477 million in unclaimed funds including payroll checks, old bank accounts, royalties, utility deposits, interest payments, stock certificates and life insurance proceeds. Around one in six Louisiana residents has unclaimed money listed with the state, and the average refund is $300 to $400.
Louisiana residents can search for unclaimed money and file a claim for it online at www.latreasury.com. Residents can also search for missing money by calling toll- free (nationwide) 1-888-925-4127.
“Our staff will be working very hard to process claims quickly this holiday season and will put a rush on anything filed over the next few weeks,” said Treasurer Kennedy. “We can’t guarantee an exact date when your check will arrive in the mail, but we pledge to do everything possible to provide a quick turnaround on your claim.”
Over the unclaimed property program’s history, the Treasury has collected more than $705 million and returned more than $227 million to Louisiana residents. The largest amount of unclaimed property ever returned to one individual was a $1 million refund for a New Orleans area resident.
In order for the Treasury to return unclaimed money quickly during the holidays, an individual’s claim must be complete and accurate. Ownership of claimed property must be verified, and an individual needs a Social Security Card, driver’s license or other form of identification to claim his or her money.
Additional Contact Information:
Contact Name: Sarah Mulhearn
Contact Phone: (225) 342-0012
