WYOMING — According to Wyoming’s State Treasurer Office, the Unclaimed Property Division has received close to $12 million in the past seven months.
Wyoming State Treasurer Curt Meier said via press release that these “properties” are usually money, but they can also include stock and mutual fund shares as well as the contents of safe deposit boxes that have been abandoned.
“During the last fiscal year that ended June 30, our office issued 9,342 checks worth more than $10.64 million,” Meier said via press release. “Since that time, we have received close to $12 million in new money, so even if you have found any of these unclaimed funds in the past, it is worth the time to search your name again.”
Common examples of unclaimed property include unpaid life insurance benefits, account refunds, forgotten bank accounts, royalty payments, utility deposits and unused rebate cards.
According to the State Treasurer’s Office, some of the properties may only be worth a few pennies, but the State of Wyoming paid an individual more than $740,000 in the last fiscal year. More recently, the State has issued six separate checks exceeding $100,000 in the current fiscal year, including a check just a few pennies shy of $110,000 mailed to a Sublette County resident at the end of January.
Wyoming residents can search www.mycash.wyo.gov to see if they are entitled to any of the $110 million in Unclaimed Property that has been turned over to the Wyoming State Treasurer’s Office. Owners will need to provide a driver’s license, and additional documents may be required for those claiming as an heir or a closed/dissolved business. Wyoming law requires the State to hold unclaimed property in perpetuity until it is claimed by the rightful owner.
