Many people across the state do not know the Missouri State Treasurer’s office maintains a clearinghouse for unclaimed property from around the state. Right now, the treasurer’s office holds more than $8.9 million in unclaimed funds and property from more than 85,000 different account holders in the 16th District alone. Chances are you, or someone you know, has unclaimed property.
By visiting www.ShowMeMoney.com, you can enter your name to search for any accounts that might contain unclaimed property, which can include:
- Money from dormant checking or savings accounts;
- Uncashed money orders;
- Cashier’s checks;
- Mineral royalty payments;
- Safe deposit box contents;
- Unused gift certificates;
- Unclaimed insurance benefits;
- Lost cash dividends;
- Stocks;
- Found utility deposits;
- Unclaimed security deposits; and
- Court deposits.
Property is considered “unclaimed” after five or more years without any documented transactions or contact with the owners. Missouri law requires financial institutions, insurance companies, public agencies and businesses turn unclaimed property over to the state. The state holds cash property in trust forever — money that is held never becomes property of the state and there is no time limit for filing claims. However, physical property is periodically sold to make room in storage.
While you may not remember losing any property or having any funds remaining in old bank accounts, you might still be owed money by the state if you are the legal heir of someone who has unclaimed property. Even if you don’t see your name on the site, you can search for the names of people you know and take a few minutes to make them aware of their “lost” money. You could be the bearer of good news for someone else today.
Statewide there is close to $1 billion in unclaimed property with more than 5 million accounts.
Constituents may also see information regarding unclaimed property on Facebook and Twitter at @MoTreasurer.
Unclaimed property is held in perpetuity until the owner or their proper heirs are located. Account owners my file a claim online by visiting www.ShowMeMoney.com., or send a letter to Post Office Box 1004, Jefferson City, MO 65102-1004.
As always, I encourage my constituents to contact me throughout the year with comments, questions or suggestions by calling my office at (573) 751-5713. To find more information about the bills I sponsored, visit www.senate.mo.gov/brown. Thank you for reading this and for your participation in state government.