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Vermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce Announces Record Year as 17,665 Claim Missing Money totaling $6.7 Million

July 9, 2018

MONTPELIER, VT — The Vermont State Treasurer’s Office announced today that a record 17,665 unclaimed properties totaling $6.7 million were returned to their rightful owners in the fiscal year ending June 30. The number of dollars paid out rose 24 percent over the previous year, setting a new record. With a growing list of Vermonters claiming their missing money, Treasurer Beth Pearce reminded residents that it only takes moments to visit MissingMoney.Vermont.gov to check to see if you or a loved one have unclaimed property.

“The Treasurer’s Office works to put more dollars in Vermonters’ pockets by identifying and returning money to its rightful heir or owner,” said Treasurer Beth Pearce. “The number of individual claims and dollars paid out increased last year, setting new records. These successes accrue to the benefit of Vermont citizens, allowing you to claim more of your missing money. I encourage folks to search our online databases, or to call our office at 1-800-642-3191, to see if you or your loved ones have unclaimed property”

Below are the top ten Vermont communities with the largest number of individual listings in the database. Due to ongoing changes in the database, the numbers below are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  • Burlington – 45,700
  • Rutland – 23,000
  • South Burlington – 18,700
  • Essex Junction – 17,100
  • Brattleboro – 15,100
  • Colchester – 13,400
  • Saint Albans – 13,300
  • Barre – 12,700
  • Bennington – 11,700
  • Montpelier – 10,200

As part of a multistate partnership, the Treasurer’s Office receives property that is remitted for safekeeping while staff works to return property to its rightful owner. $13.1 million of new property was received last year, increasing the total amount on hand to $88.5 million. “Unclaimed property” describes assets like uncashed checks, lost valuables, forgotten security deposits, misplaced insurance policies, investments or estates. The Treasurer’s Office’s unclaimed property holds more than 485,000 individual properties that are waiting to be claimed.

The Treasurer’s Office’s unclaimed property program is a consumer protection initiative to benefit all citizens. No commissions or fees are charged through this free service. Vermonters can easily search the State unclaimed property database by visiting MissingMoney.Vermont.gov or by calling 1-800-642-3191.

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