DOR Returns Unclaimed Property to a Record Number of Claimants

OLYMPIA, Wash. - You or a relative, friend or coworker may be richer than you think. Just visit www.claimyourcash.org to find out.

The Department of Revenue is continuing its efforts to reunite residents with their lost property after record-breaking results for Fiscal Year 2012 that ended June 30.

The Department returned a record $54 million to a record 119,722 claimants in Fiscal Year 2012, more than the $46.5 million it refunded to a then-record 108,441 claimants in Fiscal Year 2011.

The agency’s online searchable database contains more than 3 million names and $817 million in unclaimed assets.

To get the word out to those who still may have cash to claim, the Department will conduct radio and TV advertising in Eastern Washington September 10 through 21. It advertised in Western Washington last spring.

Examples of unclaimed property include unclaimed paychecks, utility deposits, bank accounts, uncashed refunds, life insurance proceeds, stocks and bonds and contents from safe deposit boxes.

Businesses have to report unclaimed property after losing contact with owners for an extended period, generally three years.