State has unclaimed properties that are waiting to be claimed, but time is running out for some
PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- Today could be your lucky day, and you don't even have to play the lottery!
The Arizona Department of Revenue is encouraging everyone to check its website to see if you have unclaimed money from a personal account or a relative's account. Afterall, the state has over one-billion dollars in unclaimed property.
It's not really as exciting as the lottery, but consider that last year, ADOR returned $64 million to the proper owners across the state. One person even received over a million dollars for property they didn't know about.
Time, however, is running out for hundreds of people on that list, as there is a 35-year limit. At 35 years, the state will return the money in certain accounts to the State of Arizona.
"I'm sure I've got some money hidden someplace," said Rebecca Bast "My friends have found money on different websites, and I've never tried a government one."
ADOR is encouraging residents to put their name, or the name of a relative on their website, to see if they've got money in old accounts.
"When it comes to unclaimed property, it generally consists of old bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, rebates that have gone unclaimed, tax refunds that have gone unclaimed, even items from safe deposity boxes," said Ed Greenberg with ADOR.
In July, hundreds of these unclaimed accounts will go back to the State, because there is a 35-year deadline that's been reached. ADOR shared a list of 10 random names with FOX 10 with accounts that are set to revert to state property. Upon Googling a few, we found an address for an Edward Ribar of Phoenix, who passed away 13 years ago.
FOX 10 found a neighbor at home who remembered Ribar, his wife and two kids. She called Ribar's daughter, Carol. She said she already knew about the money her father left in two old accounts. A friend had seen Ribar's name and told Carol on Facebook. So, she's already filled out the forms and is waiting to receive her funds.
For Carol, the total from her father's accounts aren't life-changing, as it was less than $200. Still, Carol says it's a great thing.
Arizona's Unclaimed Property
http://www.azunclaimed.gov/resourceCenter/AboutUnclaimedProperty.html