By Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio
Are you missing money? Maybe you forgot about an old bank account, moved and never got your security deposit back at an old apartment or have an uncashed check? If so, you may find your name on the state’s unclaimed property list.
The Maine State Treasurer’s Office has released its annual list of unclaimed property, totaling over $364.6 million worth of missing property, designed to offer Mainers an opportunity to be reunited with their missing assets. Such property includes balances from old bank accounts, overpaid bills, uncashed checks or other assets.
The Treasurer’s Office holds these assets free of charge while they await claims. If you think this might apply to you, you can search the list for your name, your family member or business at www.maineunclaimedproperty.gov. Should you find something to claim, the first steps can be taken right from the website. If you have any trouble at all, please call the Treasurer’s Office at 207-624-7470 or email them at up.claimstatus@maine.gov and someone will assist you.
Many Mainers across the state are unaware they have unclaimed property in their name. This property should be returned to its rightful owner, so please take a moment to see if you, someone you know or a business in your community is listed.
I urge residents to be vigilant and remain cautious of scams. In recent years, the State Treasurer has issued warnings about phone calls, emails and letters in the mail asking recipients to pay a fee up front in order to claim their property. I want to emphasize that the Treasurer’s Office holds these assets free of charge, and there is no fee to file a claim and receive your property.
State Treasurer Joe Perry and my fellow lawmakers may use mail as one way to notify someone that they have unclaimed property waiting for them. However, such mail from the Treasurer’s Office will be sent with an Augusta return address, utilize the official State of Maine seal and have Treasurer Perry’s signature. Any web links related to the unclaimed property list will be official State of Maine websites; you can tell the link is official because the URL contains “.gov.”
If you think you are the target of a scam, please report it to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-800-436-2131.
As always, please feel free to contact me at Anne-Marie.Mastraccio@legislature.maine.gov with your questions and concerns. I can best represent our community by hearing your thoughts on legislation and issues both in our district and across the state.
Rep. Mastraccio is serving her sixth non-consecutive term in the Maine House of Representatives, where she serves the communities of Sanford and Springvale. She is the House chair of the Government Oversight Committee, and she also serves on the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee.