FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Clint Blaes |
Treasurer Steven Johnson marks National Unclaimed
Property Day
TOPEKA – (February 1,
2024) – Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson today marked National Unclaimed
Property Day by reminding Kansans of his office’s ongoing efforts to return
unclaimed funds.
“Our office currently
holds more than $575 million in unclaimed property for Kansans,” Johnson said.
“It is estimated that one in seven people nationwide has unclaimed property –
so it’s worth checking regularly to see if you, your family or friends have
funds available to claim. National Unclaimed Property Day is the perfect
opportunity to do a quick, easy, free online search.”
The National Association
of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) estimates that nearly 33 million
people in the United States has 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, stocks, bonds, forgotten bank accounts and safe deposit
boxes.
In 2021, to increase
awareness of unclaimed property, NAUPA launched the first National Unclaimed
Property Day on February 1.
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. Kansans who have lived
in other states should also search on MissingMoney.com, which is the only
national site endorsed by NAUPA and the National Association of State
Treasurers.
###