More than $44 million in unclaimed funds returned

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WANE)  The Office of the Indiana Attorney General announced Thursday that more than $44 million in unclaimed property was returned to residents in 2012.  That's $600,000 more than was returned in 2011.

“Reuniting Hoosiers with their money is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job.  We have more than $400 million in unclaimed assets, and in the northeast region alone there is more than $23 million.  Times are still tight for a lot of people and I want everyone to know how easy it is to search for money that you may never knew existed in the form of accounts or wages.” said Indiana Attorney General Greg  Zoeller.

Zoeller encourages all Hoosiers to visit www.IndianaUnclaimed.com to search for their name, their relatives, neighbors and friends’ names.  The Indiana Unclaimed Property database is also now mobile.  Anyone can search for free through the mobile application — just use keyword Indiana Unclaimed to download.  The app makes it easy to look for unclaimed property.  Business owners and charitable organizations should also check annually for unclaimed property. 

In the last several months, businesses and other holders have turned over more than $47 million to the state of accounts in which there has been no activity for several years, depending on the type of account. 
Unclaimed property includes investment earnings, insurance proceeds and benefits, wages, and money from savings and checking accounts. Less than one percent of unclaimed assets are tangible, physical items, such as those found in safe-deposit boxes. Unclaimed property does not include abandoned vehicles or real estate.