FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Clint Blaes |
Treasurer Johnson: State
surpasses $400 million in returned unclaimed property
TOPEKA – (August 15,
2023) – Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson announced today that the state
has surpassed $400 million in unclaimed property returned to Kansans, since
that program began in 1979.
“This milestone of
unclaimed property returned is an important reminder to all Kansans to check to
see if they have funds that belong to them or a family member,” Johnson said.
“I am proud of the work our team does every day to help Kansans claim their
money. While the $400 million-returned mark is significant, we still have more
than $500 million waiting to be claimed.”
The National Association
of Unclaimed Property Administrators estimates that nearly 33 million people in
the United States have unclaimed property: financial accounts or items of value
in which the owner has not initiated any activity for a number of years. When
that happens, and the company cannot locate the owner, the money or properties
are submitted to the state. Common examples include unpaid life insurance
benefits, forgotten bank accounts, and safe deposit boxes.
Sometimes third-parties
contact individuals offering to assist in filing claims for a fee. While some
of these third-party “finders” are operating legally, there are also bad actors
who use the promise of assistance in claiming property as a hook for scams.
Johnson reminded Kansans that it is always free to search and file claims
through the State Treasurer’s website at https://KansasCash.ks.gov.
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