For the first time in Utah history, Utah State Treasurer David Damschen announced the county-by-county values of properties safeguarded by the Utah Division of Unclaimed Property. Along with states across the nation, Utah adopted the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (1956) – ensuring abandoned or lost property of its citizens is turned over to state government for safekeeping and reclaim – not kept permanently by companies, employers, service providers and others.

“I can tell listeners in Carbon County that there’s $1.9 million of lost money that we know belongs to residents in Carbon County and in Emery County $405,000,” said Damschen. Seventy-five per cent of these properties were reported to the state with outdated or incomplete last known addresses.

Damschen explained, “It might be an uncashed rebate check, a refund check that went from one business to another and never made it through the mail etc. Businesses are required by law once a check has gone uncashed for a certain amount of time the money gets passed on to the state and it’s our job to find the rightful owner and reunite that money with its rightful owner.” The Division currently holds over $375 million in funds and properties awaiting reclaim from rightful owners or their descendants. Other examples of unclaimed property include uncashed payroll checks, dormant bank accounts, overpaid bills, and security deposit box contents.

“We are a state government and yes we do want to give you your money to you. We want to get that money back to the rightful owner, we don’t want it sitting here at the state,” said Damschen.  Lost or abandoned property turned over to the state is searchable by calling 801-715-3300 or online at mycash.utah.gov website.

In 2015 alone, a record $22.5 million was paid out to owners or descendants of owners who filed claims. The average amount awaiting reclaim is over $400.00, which would cover a lot of holiday expenses.  Get online, call and start your claims process today.