PRESS RELEASE
Treasurer Fitzpatrick Encourages Missourians to Check for Unclaimed Property

Jefferson City, MO—In recognition of National Unclaimed Property
Day, Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick today encouraged Missourians to
check for Unclaimed Property. “People say to me, ‘Oh, I don’t
have any Unclaimed Property’ but the reason it became unclaimed is the fact that
you didn’t know you had it. That’s why I always tell people to check anyway,”
Treasurer Fitzpatrick said. “We hold over $1 billion that we want to put in the
pockets of Missourians--so search today!” State law requires financial
institutions, insurance companies, public agencies and other business entities
to turn over assets, including cash and the contents of safe deposit boxes, to the
Treasurer’s Office. Most Unclaimed Property consists of cash from bank
accounts, stocks, bonds, and contents of safe deposit boxes that have been
abandoned. It can also include uncollected insurance policy proceeds,
government refunds, utility deposits, and wages from past jobs. Treasurer Fitzpatrick currently manages
over $1 billion in unclaimed assets in more than five million owner accounts.
One in ten Missourians have Unclaimed Property, and the average return is
nearly $300. Unclaimed Property can be searched for and claimed on ShowMeMoney.com. The Treasurer’s Office also
holds more than 100 military medals and insignia. To search these, visit https://treasurer.mo.gov/Military/AllMedals.aspx. Since taking office in 2019,
Treasurer Fitzpatrick has broken three unclaimed property records, returning
the first $1 million of his administration in less than 10 days, returning
over $45 million in one fiscal year, and returning
unclaimed property to more Missourians in one year than any prior
treasurer. Launched by the National
Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA), today marks the first
National Unclaimed Property Day. Follow the Treasurer’s Office on Twitter,
Facebook, and Instagram @motreasurer. ###