JEFFERSON CITY—State Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, encourages constituents in the 19th District to check the Missouri Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property database, which lists property held in perpetuity by the state, such as money from bank accounts that have been inactive or whose owners could not be contacted for more than five years.

Unclaimed property is sent to the treasurer’s office from banks, government agencies and insurance companies. The department is legally required to hold the property until the owner claims it.

According to the State Treasurer, one in 10 Missourians has unclaimed property, with the average claim around $300. The state is currently holding more than $6 million belonging to around 12,000 citizens in the 19th District alone.

“There are thousands of Missourians who have unclaimed property with the state, some of it worth a substantial amount,” said Sen. Schaefer. “It’s well worth every citizen’s time to check the database and make sure they’re not missing out on any money or property they’re still legally entitled to.”

To file a claim or check to see if you have unclaimed property, visit www.ShowMeMoney.com or write to State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, PO Box 1004, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.

You can also check the database by visiting Sen. Schaefer’s legislative website at www.senate.mo.gov/schaefer and choose the ‘Search the Unclaimed Property Database’ option under the ‘Constituent Services’ tab.