PRINT ADS

Wisconsin Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass announced this week that the Unclaimed Property Department in her office has paid out a record-breaking amount in May, culminating in $3,164,022 from 1,980 claims. It was the most successful month in the history of the Unclaimed Property Department which has been in existence since 1970. For the first time in history, the Unclaimed Property Department gave back more $3 million.

Sass attributed this month’s record in part to a vigorous public awareness tour covering more than 28 counties so far this year.

“I can think of no more noble endeavor than traveling the state to reunite the taxpayers with their lost financial assets,” said Sass. “I want people to look forward to seeing the treasury’s portable unclaimed property database in their communities at least once a year. Our goal is to get people into the habit of searching for their names on our lists.”

Unclaimed Property consists of uncashed payroll checks, utility refunds, stocks, dividends and even safe deposit box contents. Under Wisconsin Statute, after one to five years of inactivity, businesses across the country are mandated to turn all unclaimed money, stock and safe deposit boxes to the state treasurer’s office for safekeeping. There is no time limit for collecting your unclaimed property.

For more information regarding unclaimed property or to check if you have unclaimed property, log onto www.ost.state.wi.us or call 1-877-699-9211.