Have you ever wondered if you have unclaimed money or assets just waiting to be found? You're not alone.
Across Pennsylvania, millions of dollars in unclaimed property sit in state coffers, waiting to be returned to their rightful owners. From forgotten savings accounts to unpaid wages, there are countless ways you may have unclaimed assets owed to you.
The good news is, with a few simple steps, you can uncover these hidden treasures.
The Pennsylvania Treasury holds unclaimed property in trust until the owner comes forward to claim it.
There is no time limit, so even if it's been decades, you can still recover assets that legally belong to you.
How Assets Become Unclaimed
Unclaimed property can occur for many reasons.
When a bank account or investment remains inactive for a period of time, the holder (like a bank) is required to turn it over to the state.
Some common triggers include:
- Closed accounts with leftover balances
- Uncashed checks and dividends
- Refunds, deposits, credit balances never claimed
- Unpaid insurance benefits, wages, commissions
- Contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes
Rather than keep the assets, they transfer custody to the state's unclaimed property office.
Search Online for What Belongs to You
The Pennsylvania Treasury makes it easy to search their database for unclaimed property.
On their website, you simply enter your name and city to see if anything comes up. If you locate unclaimed assets owed to you, submit a claim form and proof of ownership to have it returned to you free of charge.
The state auctions off some unclaimed tangible items each year, like jewelry and collectibles.
You can bid on these items, but it's better to search the owner database first. That way you don't pay for something you're entitled to claim for free!
Don't Get Scammed - Verify Requests for Your Personal Info
Be wary of any calls or emails requesting personal information to reunite you with lost assets.
The state's unclaimed property office will never contact you out of the blue asking for money or account details.
Look up official contact info and reach out yourself to confirm legitimacy.
Time to Do Some Treasure Hunting!
Don't leave money on the table that rightfully belongs to you.
Search for unclaimed property today and you may uncover surprising assets you never knew you had.
With billions in unclaimed assets nationwide, you have a good chance of finding forgotten funds owed to you. Be persistent and check back periodically - you never know what hidden treasures you may discover.
