Unclaimed property returned in record amounts
The state treasurer's office returned a record $28 million in unclaimed property in 2008 to 25,000 people, the second year of Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass' outreach program to tout the state's unclaimed property database in every corner of the state.
In 2007, about $24.7 million in unclaimed property was returned to about 24,000 people in Wisconsin.
"During these times of financial challenges, the recovery of unclaimed property could make a big difference for a family," Sass said.
Since the start of the state's unclaimed property program in 1970, more than $155 million in property has been returned to 205,000 people.
Even with the recent successes, the state has about $324 million and $26 million in stock assets in its possession, money and stock that belong to citizens and businesses of Wisconsin. The state estimates 1.3 million people are owed unclaimed property.
Under Wisconsin law, after 1-5 years of inactivity, Wisconsin businesses are mandated to turn all unclaimed money, stock and safe deposit boxes to the treasurer's office for safekeeping.
While there's a time limit on businesses turning property over to the state, there is no time limit on claiming unclaimed property.
To discover if you have any unclaimed property, go to www.statetreasury.wisconsin.gov.
