WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — February 1 is marked as National Unclaimed Property Day, and the Kansas State Treasurer’s Office says there is quite a bit of unclaimed money left in Kansas.
“Our office currently holds more than $500 million in unclaimed property for Kansans,” Kansas Treasurer Steven Johnson said in a news release. “It’s estimated that one in 10 people nationwide have unclaimed property, so it’s worth checking regularly to see if you, your family or friends have funds available to reclaim them. National Unclaimed Property Day is the perfect opportunity to do a quick, easy and free online search.
The press release said the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) estimates that nearly 33 million people in the United States have unclaimed property. This amount could be in financial accounts or items of value where the owner hasn’t started a business for a number of years.
When the company is unable to identify the owner, the assets are handed over to the state. Some of these assets could be unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, safe deposit boxes, and unused discount cards.
It is free for Kansans to search and claim unclaimed property, and the press release says to be wary of third parties who offer to assist in filing claims for a fee. While some operate legally, there are also bad actors who use the promise of assistance as a scam hook.
To see if you have unclaimed property, you can visit the treasurer’s website by clicking here.
