According to State Treasurer David McRae, one in 10 Mississippians have unclaimed money.
To help citizens obtain unclaimed money, staffers from the treasurer’s office will be available at Brandon City Hall to help area residents search the state’s unclaimed property list and file claims to receive funds on Saturday, October 1.
Unclaimed money comes from accounts that are either inactive or whose owners and heirs have not been located. The unclaimed funds could include anything from lost savings accounts and matured savings bonds to life insurance policies, uncashed dividend checks, utility security deposits, and tax refunds. After five years, companies turn unclaimed funds over to the state treasury to seek to locate the rightful owners.
“I want to thank Mayor Butch Lee and the Brandon Board of Aldermen for partnering with my office to help return unclaimed money to local families, businesses, and organizations,” Treasurer McRae said. “Local partners like the City of Brandon have helped me return more than $60 million to local communities since I’ve been in office — record returns for Mississippians. This money doesn’t belong to the government, it belongs to our citizens, and I am determined to put as much as possible back into the hands of rightful owners.”
Staff will be available to help people search the state’s unclaimed property list and begin the claims process. Individuals planning to attend are encouraged to bring the following items to help expedite the claims process:
- Photo ID (driver’s license, passport, military ID card, etc.)
- Social Security Card (or an official document containing the SSN)
- Proof of address (utility bill, etc.)
- Proof of name change (marriage license, divorce decree, etc.)
- If the owner is deceased, bring the death certificate, will, obituary, or affidavit of death.
Individuals are encouraged to check the unclaimed property database any time at www.treasury.ms.gov.
