State vault contains $1B in annual unclaimed funds

MGN

FORT MYERS, Fla. Thousands of people in Southwest Florida may have unclaimed funds locked away in a state vault.

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced Thursday that the Florida Division of Unclaimed Property processed over 425,000 individual claims worth a combined value of $275 million, surpassing the previous annual record of $271.8 million during the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

“Month after month and year after year, our unclaimed property team has continued to raise the bar,” Atwater said. “Their dedication and commitment to putting these forgotten-about funds back into the hands of Floridians is unmatched, and I am proud to announce their latest feat. Millions more lays waiting to be claimed and I hope that all Floridians will take two minutes to look on our website for an unclaimed property account in their name.”

The unclaimed money primarily comes from dormant accounts, but also includes watches, jewelry and coins.

To search for unclaimed property or to claim an account, visit www.FLTreasureHunt.org, or call 1-88-VALUABLE (888) 258-2253 or (850) 413-5555.

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