DES MOINES, IA (10/25/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald has a vault full of unclaimed funds waiting to be passed back to its rightful owners this Halloween. Fitzgerald has plenty of treats in the form of unclaimed property waiting to be returned through the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt.
"A few names on our list may give Iowans some great Halloween costume ideas," Fitzgerald stated. "We have the dynamic duo, Batman and a Robin, a Sparrow (but no Jack), three Angels, four Marios (but no Luigi), a few Wolves, a Peter Pan, a Clown, five Wizards, several Potters (but no Harry), and we even have something for Elvis."
It doesn't matter whether you're a spook, a music icon or a superhero - anybody can have unclaimed property in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. The list includes names of individuals from all over the state that have lost track of money or property. "The thought of losing track of one's assets is truly frightening," Fitzgerald stated. "There's no trick involved in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt - only treats for those who find they have property to claim. My office's goal is to return as much of the property to the rightful owners as possible."
The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $135 million in unclaimed property. More than 314,000 properties have been paid out since Fitzgerald started it in 1983. The money could be from forgotten savings/checking accounts, uncashed insurance benefit checks, IRA funds, lost stock and dividends, gift cards, abandoned safe deposit contents, utility refunds or deposits. When persons do not respond over an extended period of time through regular mailings from banks and corporations, the money is reported to the state treasurer's office.
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 to foundit@iowa.gov.
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