State Treasurer’s Office Working To Reunite Veterans With Unclaimed Property
Nov 10, 2020, 3:41 PM
(KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Officials with the Utah Office of State Treasurer are encouraging Utahns to search for unclaimed property that belongs to veterans and active-duty service members in their families as Veterans Day approaches.
A news release from the treasurer’s office said the unclaimed property office received nearly $55 million last year from sources like dormant bank accounts, overpaid bills, uncashed checks, unpaid insurance benefits and safe deposit boxes.
“Our veterans, service members, and their families have sacrificed so much. Helping them find their unclaimed property is one small way we can thank them for their service,” said Utah State Treasurer David Damschen.
U.S. Army veteran Lisa Duckworth, local veterans employment representative at the Utah Department of Workforce Services, recently found out the state had some property that belonged to her.
“It was a pleasant surprise, and the process to get my unclaimed funds was very slick and very easy to do,” Duckworth said. “Most people know at least one veteran, and we all say, ‘Thank you for your service.’ We’re a very patriotic and proud nation, and what better way to show a fellow veteran, military member, or even military spouse that you really do appreciate their service than by helping them discover something they didn’t realize they had. And who doesn’t like getting money?”
The release did not indicate what kind of property she received, but it did say the Unclaimed Property Division got a record-breaking $40.6 million back into the hands of the rightful owners.
“Additionally, our veterans likely have a higher percentage of unclaimed property,” said Unclaimed Property Administrator Dennis Johnston, who is also a U.S. Navy veteran. “Service members tend to move more frequently than civilians and are consequently more likely to have a check mailed to an old address or have money forgotten at an insurance company, utility or bank in a state they have since left.”
The database of unclaimed property is not limited to only veterans. It’s easy to check at mycash.utah.gov.
