JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Benjamins, bucks, green or dollars - whatever name it goes by, residents of Southeastern Indiana have a lot of it that’s been forgotten - $14,835,032.67 to be exact. Attorney General Greg Zoeller stopped by Jeffersonville City Hall today to talk about the state’s unclaimed property program and show people how to search for and claim unclaimed property.
“In every county around the state Hoosiers have money they have forgotten about or never knew existed. It is my duty to inform Hoosiers how to find and claim it and I’m encouraging people to not be shy – search for yourself and your friends and family. This money belongs to someone,” Zoeller said. “The state’s unclaimed property fund has more than $350 million waiting to be claimed by the rightful owners and we want to make sure they get it back.”
Zoeller encouraged all Hoosiers to visit www.IndianaUnclaimed.com to search for unclaimed property belonging to themselves, friends, relatives or neighbors. Businesses and charities can also have unclaimed property.
Financial institutions and other holders are required annually to turn over the assets of accounts in which there has been no activity for several years, depending on the type of account. Unclaimed property includes investment earnings, insurance proceeds and benefits, wages, and money from savings and checking accounts. Less than one percent of unclaimed assets are tangible, physical items, such as those found in safe-deposit boxes. It is important to note that unclaimed property does NOT include abandoned vehicles or real estate.
In total, the state’s unclaimed property database holds more than $350 million in assets. In 2009, the Attorney General’s Office returned more than 55,000 properties totaling more than $42.2 million in unclaimed property. Last year, more than $1.4 million was returned to individuals with last known addresses in Southeastern Indiana.
In 2009, more than 20,000 new properties valued at $2 million were reported and originate from the 17 county region. This money belongs to residents or former residents of the area or their heirs. The state holds these assets for 25 years after they are reported.
The following chart displays the total value and number of properties added to the Unclaimed Property database in 2009 and the sum of all unclaimed property from 2000 - 2009 from counties in Southeastern Indiana:
County 2009 Property Totals Total $ Value added in 2009 Total $ Value
Clark 4,132 $467,576 $3,462,541
Crawford 309 $14,824 $146,496
Dearborn 1,999 $175,337 $1,289,092.81
Floyd 2,816 $345,439 $2,308,339
Franklin 781 $65,424 $489,131
Harrison 1,117 $87,409 $555,718
Jackson 1,371 $146,899 $774,551
Jefferson 947 $78,223 $727,088
Jennings 696 $48,996 $362,888
Ohio 172 $10,568 $91,676
Orange 649 $39,788 $237,742
Ripley 593 $65,181 $345,035
Scott 691 $48,633 $436,252
Switzerland 228 $14,395 $153,288
Union 221 $8,139 $85,402
Washington 711 $105,969 $436,439
Wayne 2,742 $250,416 $2,933,352
TOTAL 20,175 $1,973,216 $14,835,032
Every year, the attorney general is required to advertise the list of unclaimed property turned over to the state during the previous year. A list of the assets turned over to the state in the last year will be published in the Southeastern region as follows:
County Newspaper Dates of Publication
Clark JEFFERSONVILLE EVENING NEWS 9/1 & 9/12
Crawford CLARION NEWS 9/2 & 9/9
Dearborn LAWRENCEBURG DEARBORN COUNTY REGISTER 9/2 & 9/9
Floyd NEW ALBANY TRIBUNE 9/1 & 9/12
Franklin BOONVILLE DEMOCRAT 9/2 & 9/9
Harrison CORYDON DEMOCRAT 9/1 & 9/8
Jackson SEYMOUR DAILY TRIBUNE 9/1 & 9/11
Jefferson MADISON COURIER 9/1 & 9/11
Jennings NORTH VERNON PLAIN DEALER 9/2 & 9/9
Ohio RISING SUN RECORDER 9/2 & 9/9
Orange PAOLI REPUBLICAN 8/31 & 9/7
Ripley VERSAILLES REPUBLICAN 9/2 & 9/9
Scott SCOTT COUNTY JOURNAL 9/4 & 9/11
Switzerland VEVAY REVEILLE ENTERPRISE 9/2 & 9/9
Union LIBERTY HERALD 9/2 & 9/9
Washington SALEM LEADER 8/31 & 9/7
Wayne RICHMOND PALLADIUM – ITEM 9/1 & 9/12
A public awareness campaign highlighting where Hoosiers can look for unclaimed property includes newspaper, radio, online and television ads. The ads remind people that the database is dynamic, with new assets added regularly.
The Unclaimed Property database can be searched 24-hours a day, seven days a week at www.IndianaUnclaimed.com.
The Unclaimed Property Division’s toll-free number is 1.866.IN.CLAIM (1.866.462.5246). This is a free service of the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.
