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State Treasurer: Bounty of treasures to be returned
11/12/2008

Bounty of Treasures to be Returned

DES MOINES, IA (11/12/2008; 1200)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald knows that Thanksgiving Day is a time when family and friends gather together for a holiday feast to offer thanks and rejoice in the fruit of our labors. While everyone is gathered together, Fitzgerald would like to encourage all current and former Iowans to check for their names in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. To date, over $94 million has been returned to more than 280,000 Iowans.

"I encourage all current and former Iowans to search for their names in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt website," Fitzgerald said. "Checking online at our website is well worth the short time it takes. We continuously reunite Iowans with their treasures."

Each year millions of dollars in unclaimed property is turned over to the state treasurer's office where it becomes a part of the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. The type of property turned over can range from forgotten or inactive savings/checking accounts, utility refunds or deposits, uncashed insurance benefits checks, lost stock and dividends to abandoned safe deposit box contents. Property is considered unclaimed when the owner does not respond to regular mailings from banks or businesses over an extended period of time. Efforts to find the rightful owner continue once the property is turned over to the state.

"Sometimes people lose track of their accounts when they move, switch jobs or change banks. They may even forget about a safe deposit box. It is much more common than you think." Fitzgerald explained. "Our goal is to return as much of the property to the rightful owners as possible."

For more information about the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, please visit www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com. Treasure seekers may also write to State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald, Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319 or correspond by email at foundit@iowa.gov.


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