DES MOINES, IA (01/31/2018) (readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald may not be playing cupid for Valentine's Day, but he is looking to reunite owners with their lost and forgotten treasures. "Currently on the list, we have lots of Love, several Beaus, dozens of Flowers, abundance of Candy and even a Sweetpies of Cedar Rapids," Fitzgerald said. "In addition to money, we have mementos from safe deposit boxes waiting to be reclaimed from our vault. Contents stem from engagement rings, lockets, cards and love letters."
Treasurer Fitzgerald encourages all Iowans to check the website for a forgotten treasure. "Check regularly and check often," Fitzgerald advises. Throughout the year, new property is uploaded, so even if you have claimed property in the past, there is a chance your name could reappear.
The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt has returned over $239 million to more than 573,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report unclaimed property to the state treasurer's office. The assets are then held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits and safe deposit box contents.
Visit GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov to begin your search. Be sure to like the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt on Facebook and follow the program on Twitter @GreatIATreasure.
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