By By Janet Little Cooper
Treasurer Kay Ivey visited Atmore, Flomaton, and Brewton Tuesday to announce that over 3,000 listings with Escambia County addresses appear on the unclaimed property database. This includes 1,396 items with Atmore addresses, 1,315 Brewton addresses, and 376 listings with a Flomaton address. Each year the state treasury brings in millions of dollars in unclaimed property and Treasurer Ivey wants to reunite Alabamians with their unclaimed property.
"Unclaimed property can be in the form of uncashed checks, stocks, bonds, dividend checks, utility deposits, and even items found in abandoned safe deposit boxes," Ivey said. "After a business has held unclaimed property for a number of years set by law, they turn it over to the state treasury and we hold it until individuals come forward to claim it."
Ivey said that a record amount of unclaimed property was received in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The state treasury took $80,049,824 in unclaimed property. In addition, $13,840,514 was paid in claims to over 31,800 individuals.
"So much hard work goes into collecting these funds from businesses, banks and insurance companies that are unable to contact property owners," Ivey said. "All the hard work is worthwhile when owners are located and are able to connect with their assets."
Ivey encourages Alabamians to search for their name on the Unclaimed Property database by visiting her website at www.treasury.alabama.gov. Claims may be filed online or by calling the Treasurer's office and requesting a claim form. The Unclaimed Property division of the Treasurer's Office can be reached toll free at 1-888-844-8400.
"This is the people's money," Ivey said in an interview at the Advance office Wednesday afternoon. "I would encourage people to look under their maiden names and several generations back as well. Some people decide not to check because they think it isn't very much money. They may be surprised. People on the list have at least $25 owed to them. If they can give us the proper identification, a check can be cut and mailed within 6 to 8 weeks of their claim. This is totally free. If you can prove you are who you say you are, we'll be happy to send you a check.