Treasurer Fitzgerald Adds thousands of names to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt

DES MOINES, IA (05/03/2018) (readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced he is holding over $317 million in unclaimed funds in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. The spring publication of the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is scheduled to begin soon. Thousands of names have been received in the last year and will be in the spring publication.

"In upcoming weeks, the new names that have been added to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt will be published," Fitzgerald said. Individuals do not have to wait for publication to see if they have unclaimed property. "You can start your search today by visiting our website, GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes and search for their name."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $245 million in unclaimed property to more than 588,000 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.

Visit the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov to begin your search. Keep up with all of our programs on social media (Facebook and Twitter @IowaTreasurer).

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