Sen. Dinniman encourages residents to check for unclaimed property

State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) reminded residents Wednesday to check whether the Pennsylvania Treasury’s Bureau of Unclaimed Property is holding property for them to claim.

Last year, the Treasury returned hundreds of millions in unclaimed property to Pennsylvania residents, but there is still more than $3.4 billion in property waiting to be claimed by its rightful owners. About 1 in 10 residents have unclaimed property with the Treasury.

“Extra cash is always helpful, especially after the holidays,” Dinniman said. “I encourage you to search the database. If your name is listed, please feel free contact my district office for assistance in claiming your property. You just might find that you are due a belated Christmas present.”

Residents can search the registry by visiting www.patreasury.gov or calling the Treasury’s Bureau of Unclaimed Property toll-free at 1-800-222-2046.

Any financial asset that has gone unclaimed for a period of time, usually three years, is considered unclaimed property. Pennsylvania businesses are required to report this property to the Treasury, which acts as the custodian until it can find and verify its rightful legal owner. The registry includes items from forgotten bank accounts and stocks, uncashed checks and rebates, the contents of safety deposit boxes and other unclaimed property.

“Often funds go missing for something as simple as a misspelled name or out-of-date address and owners don’t even know it,” Dinniman said. “If you’ve ever forgotten to cash a last paycheck or reclaim a deposit, that money is not lost forever, it is held for you by the Pennsylvania Treasury, and it remains available to be claimed by its rightful owner or heir in perpetuity.”