Come and claim it: $25M in unclaimed NE Indiana property

May 08--The Indiana Attorney General's Office reminds northeast Indiana residents that they have millions of dollars that's been forgotten -- more than $25 million, in fact.

Attorney General Greg Zoeller stopped by Indiana Tech Law School in Fort Wayne Thursday to talk about the state's unclaimed property program and show people how they can search and claim what is rightfully theirs.

"For only the second time ever, more than $100 million dollars has been turned over to the state which means even more people have missing or forgotten money to claim," Zoeller said. "With over $400 million to be claimed and more than $25 million in Northeast Indiana alone, it is my goal to make sure this money finds its way back to the rightful owner."

Making a claim with the Attorney General's Unclaimed Property Division is free and easy. Zoeller encourages all Hoosiers to visit www.IndianaUnclaimed.gov to search for their names and 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. Business owners and charitable organizations should also check annually for unclaimed property.

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.

In 2013, more than 43,000 new properties valued at nearly $5.5 million dollars were reported and originate from 10 counties in northeast Indiana. The money belongs to residents or former residents of the area or their heirs. The state holds these assets for 25 years after they are reported.

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