Treasurer Fitzgerald: Yearning to See Something Green? Try the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt

DES MOINES, IA (03/07/2013)(readMedia)-- Iowans who are yearning to see something green after the long winter do not have to wait until St. Patrick's Day or for the spring weather to roll around. According to State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald, a visit to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt's website, greatiowatreasurehunt.com, might just add some green in the form of unclaimed property to their wallets.

Treasurer Fitzgerald advises everyone to visit the website even if they have searched for their names in the past. "We are constantly updating the list of those who have unclaimed property," Fitzgerald said. "This year you may find your wallet growing with green before the trees and grass has a chance to catch up."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $159 million in unclaimed property to more than 391,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started 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 and deliver unclaimed property to the state treasurer's office, where it is 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.

"Finding and receiving unclaimed property is an easy process," explained Fitzgerald. "We are dedicated to helping Iowans reunite with their missing money and property." Visit greatiowatreasurehunt.com to see if you have a treasure waiting for you.

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