Ohio Department of Commerce's director is urging Seneca County residents to join the 2012 Unclaimed Funds Treasure Hunt by checking the Tuesday edition of The Advertiser-Tribune. By checking the newspaper advertisement, readers can find out whether they are entitled to unclaimed funds turned over to the Ohio Division of Unclaimed Funds in the past year.
Unclaimed funds are money or the rights to money that have been dormant or forgotten. Some common examples include: dormant checking and savings accounts, forgotten rent and utility deposits, uncashed checks, undelivered stock certificates, and uncashed insurance policies.
"There could be money sitting here with your name on it. Check the Seneca County list to see if you, your family or your friends have unclaimed funds," said the director David Goodman. "This money can help Ohioans buy a tank of gas, pay off some bills, make a needed home repair or take a vacation."
In 2012, the division paid 58,953 claims worth about $61.1 million. The average claim was for $1,037.
The Seneca County advertisement is to include 616 unclaimed funds accounts worth $183,664.32. The advertised accounts, each valued at $50 or more, were turned over to the division within the past year for individuals whose last known address was in Seneca County. The advertised names will appear in alphabetical order by the owner's last known city and then in alphabetical order by the owner's last name. A comprehensive list of all unclaimed funds accounts is available on the Department of Commerce's Online Treasure Hunt website at www.unclaimedfundstreasurehunt.ohio.gov.
Individuals without Internet access can write to the Division of Unclaimed Funds and provide the full name(s) to be researched, along with the counties in which the person(s) might have resided. The Division's address is 77 South High Street, 20th Floor, Columbus, OH, 43215.
