MONTPELIER — National Unclaimed Property Day is Wednesday, and Treasurer Mike Pieciak has announced the State of Vermont is partnering again with the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators to remind Vermonters to search for and claim their missing money.
The Treasurer’s Office currently holds $119 million of unclaimed property.
In 2022, the Office paid out over 15,000 claims totaling over $5.3 million that went back into the pockets of Vermonters.
“Our staff works tirelessly to return unclaimed property to its rightful owner, and with over $100 million held by our office, I encourage Vermonters to take a few minutes this week to check our website and see if money is waiting to be returned to them,” Pieciak said. “The average claim last year was over $400, and our staff stands ready to make the process of reclaiming your money quick and easy.”
Pieciak highlighted two recent experiences with the Office’s Unclaimed Property Division representative of the care and service that the team provides.
“[The] Office was very helpful in claiming the property left behind by my parents. You walked all six of us through the process and made it very simple, despite being spread from Maine to Washington State. I believe most of us have completed the process, and we’ve all donated our share of the funds to our oldest brother to help his heating bill this winter. Thanks to you all!” said a 2022 unclaimed property claimant.
“My family and I are so happy with Vermont’s Office of the State Treasurer Unclaimed Property Division. Despite our best efforts, we found that the family had unclaimed funds following the recent closing of an estate. The Unclaimed Property Division was very proactive in assisting us through the process of accessing these funds. We couldn’t be happier with …the whole team in the Unclaimed Property Division,” added another 2022 claimant.
“Unclaimed property” includes assets like uncashed checks, lost valuables, forgotten security deposits, misplaced insurance policies, investments, or estates. Currently, there are close to 1 million properties waiting to be claimed. There is never a charge to claim funds through the Treasurer’s Office. Vermonters are cautioned to be wary of companies claiming to locate and recover property for a fee.
To search online, visit www.MissingMoney.Vermont.gov or call the Unclaimed Property Division at (802) 828-2407 or toll-free in Vermont at 1-800-642-3191.
