Office of the State Treasurer has paid over 30 thousand claims worth more than $17 million during the fiscal year.
Augusta, ME - State Treasurer Henry E.M. Beck, Esq. today announced his office has had a record year of unclaimed property returned to Mainers during this fiscal year. The office has paid $17.009.612.08 to 30,527 owners. The number of individual owners paid beats the previous record set in fiscal year 2018 by over 1,000 claims.
Unclaimed property consists of money and other financial assets that are considered lost or abandoned when an owner cannot be located after a specified period of inactivity. It includes items such as bank accounts, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, unpaid wages, stocks and dividends, refunds, and safe deposit box contents.
Treasurer Beck offered the following comment:
"During this difficult time in our state, it's great to know we have been able to continue to return money to Mainers who rely on these payments to live each day. Our office has remained fully functional throughout the pandemic and will continue to seek out and return property to rightful owners."
At present, the Treasurer holds $260,982,994 of Unclaimed Property. It is easy and free to file a claim. To file a claim, go to https://www.maineunclaimedproperty.gov/ and follow the easy to use instructions or call 207-624-7470 for assistance.
About OST: The Office of the State Treasurer provides state agencies with efficient banking and financial services, which include revenue collection, payment issuance, reconciliation, municipal revenue sharing and trust management. The Office also manages state investments and debt payments and issuance, ensuring that bonds authorized by voters are efficiently sold in the marketplace to provide funding for capital projects statewide. Over $260 million in unclaimed funds for Maine residents are managed by the Office of the Treasurer. FMI, https://www.maine.gov/treasurer