$17 million unclaimed in NE Indiana

What do Larry Bird, John Mellencamp and Reggie Miller have in common? They all have money in unclaimed property - some maybe waiting for you, too.

More than $350 million in unclaimed property is available to be returned to Hoosiers.

Unclaimed property comes from many different sources like old bank accounts, forgotten stocks, or utility deposits never returned to rightful owners. It could also be insurance proceeds, an inheritance or contents in a safe deposit box left in an individual's name.

In Indiana, businesses and organizations in possession of property remaining unclaimed for a specified length of time are required by law to turn it over to the Indiana Attorney General's Unclaimed Property Division.

Searching for and recovering unclaimed property is a free and easy process that Hoosiers can do by clicking here and following these six simple steps:

• Enter your name or the name of a friend or family member in the search field;
• Place a check mark in the box next to the property you want to claim;
• Complete the claim form and verify your information by clicking "approve";
• Print a copy of your completed claim form, sign it and gather all of the required documentation;
• Drop your completed claim form along with the required documentation in the mail; and
• Allow the Unclaimed Property Division up to 90 days to review your claim. If your claim is approved, you will receive your check in the mail.

Hoosiers without computer access can call 1-866-IN-Claim (1-866-462-5246).

In 2009, the Indiana Attorney General's office returned $42.2 million dollars to rightful owners, but also received another $44.6 million of unclaimed property from businesses.

In Northeast Indiana about $17.1 million needs to be returned to Hoosiers.