DES MOINES, IA (11/15/2016)(readMedia)-- Thanksgiving Day brings the annual gathering of family, friends, food and festivities, some of the best treasures a person could be thankful for. State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald knows his office has a bounty of its own with the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. "A quick search on our website can provide one more reason to give thanks," Fitzgerald said. "The word is out that unclaimed property exists and anyone may find money they never knew they were owed."
The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $220 million in unclaimed property since Fitzgerald created 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.
"Those who take the time to search the list may find they have one more thing to be thankful for," Fitzgerald stated. "I encourage everyone to visit the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt website to look for their lost treasure." Visit the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov to begin your search. Like Great Iowa Treasure Hunt on Facebook and follow the program on Twitter (@GreatIATreasure).
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