Sen. Carpenter announces $12.1 million added to Unclaimed Property, needs to be claimed by owners

AUGUSTA – Senator Michael Carpenter, D-Aroostook, announced today the addition of more than $12 million to Maine’s Unclaimed Property Fund. Mainers are being urged to check whether any of that cash belongs to them.

“Unclaimed property” is money owed to Maine people by third parties, such as former employers, banks or utility companies. Organizations are required to give unclaimed property to the State Treasurer after a specified period of time, after which the owner of the unclaimed property can retrieve it from the state.

“The Treasurer’s website contains a list of countless Mainers that have yet to claim their property. I strongly advise my constituents to go onto the website and search their names,” said Senator Carpenter.

Even if you have done everything right, you could have unclaimed property. It could be from a forgotten account, an overpaid bill or uncollected wages. This money could be unclaimed as a result of a change in name, addresses or bank account.

You can search the Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property list here. If you find your name, or the name of your current or past businesses on the list, you can claim the property immediately online — for free.

You can also search your friends and family and let them know about unclaimed properties that may belong to them. To find out if you are owed money in other states http://www.missingmoney.com/ serves as a National Database.

The Office of the Treasurer receives new properties throughout the year. Be sure to check back as often as you can!