Ohioans urged to seek unclaimed funds

VW independent/submitted information

Looking for some extra holiday cash?  The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Unclaimed Funds may have money Ohio residents didn’t know they had to spend on “Cyber Monday.” By checking the website or calling the toll-free phone number (877.644.6823), Ohioans can search for forgotten money that may be owed them.

Unclaimed funds are money, or the rights to money, that has been dormant or forgotten. Some common examples include dormant checking and savings accounts, forgotten rent or utility deposits, uncashed checks, undelivered stock certificates, and uncashed insurance policies.

So far in Fiscal Year 2016, $34.4 million has been returned, with the average claim $2,100. However, $2.3 billion is still waiting to be claimed. Checking for unclaimed funds only takes a few minutes and it is free to do.

“We returned a record-setting $76 million to Ohioans last fiscal year and hope to top that this year,” Division of Unclaimed Funds Superintendent Yaw Obeng said. “You may find money that could help you pay off some bills or purchase your holiday gifts.”

Even if Ohio residents have looked for unclaimed funds in the past, it is recommended to check again because funds are reported to the division each year.

Individuals without Internet access can also 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 S. High St., 20th Floor, Columbus, OH, 43215.