State Treasurer Fitzgerald Announces New This Year: Make Your Claim at the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt Booth

DES MOINES, IA (08/02/2017) (readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is rolling out a change to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt booth at the Iowa State Fair. New this year, fairgoers will be able to make their claim directly at the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt booth. A stop inside the Varied Industries building may prove to be financially worthwhile, as fairgoers search their names for unclaimed money. "The Iowa State Fair is one of the most successful, rewarding ways we reach Iowans who may have money in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt," said Fitzgerald. "This year, claimants can search for their names and file their claims online during their visit at our booth. While we cannot pay them at the fair, claimants will not have to take a paper form home with them to mail to us later."

Fairgoers can also search the list for the names of their friends and family. "If you find the name of a friend or family member, you can select to have a claim form emailed or mailed to you or the owner." Fitzgerald said. "Over the years, we have had tremendous success in reuniting people with their lost treasures and are looking forward to providing enhanced services this year."

Over $308 million is waiting to be claimed in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. The program has returned over $231 million in unclaimed property to more than 537,000 people since Fitzgerald created it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report unclaimed property to the state treasurer's office. The assets are then held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits and safe deposit box contents.

Stop by the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt booth at the Iowa State Fair, August 10-20 in the Varied Industries Building. The building will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visit the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov to begin your search. Like Great Iowa Treasure Hunt on Facebook and follow the program on Twitter @GreatIATreasure.

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