DES MOINES, IA (02/05/2015)(readMedia)-- Valentine's Day inspires a day of card and gift giving to those we love. Throughout the years, those cards and keepsake mementos sometimes become lost treasures. State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants to reunite Iowans this Valentine's Day with those lost treasures. "In addition to money, we have safe deposit box contents, which include an assortment of valuable items waiting to be reclaimed," said Fitzgerald. "Some of these items may have been gifts from a past Valentine's Day."
Treasurer Fitzgerald encourages all Iowans to check the website for a forgotten treasure. "Check regularly and check often," Fitzgerald advises. New property is uploaded throughout the year, so even if you have claimed property in the past, there is a chance your name could reappear. "Our goal is to keep reminding people to check their names for any unclaimed property."
The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt database contains more than one million accounts for individuals that have lost track of some money or a treasure. The program has returned over $188 million to more than 452,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started it in 1983. Companies and financial institutions in Iowa and from across the nation report millions of dollars in unclaimed property to the state treasurer each year. Common examples of unclaimed property include money in forgotten savings/checking accounts, uncashed insurance benefit and payroll checks, lost stock and dividends, abandoned safe deposit box contents and utility refunds or deposits. Simply visit GreatIowaTreasureHunt.com 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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