The Unclaimed Property Division is responsible for maintaining records of lost accounts reported to them by businesses when the last known address of the owner was in Virginia. The Division attempts to locate the rightful owners or their heirs to help them claim their property.
Pursuant to Virginia Code Sec. 55-210.18, State Treasurer, Jody M. Wagner announces a public auction sale of abandoned property from such sources as bank safe deposit boxes, Police evidence rooms and other sources. The auction is to be held October 16, 2004 at the James Monroe Building, 101 N. 14th St. in downtown Richmond.
In addition to money and securities, the Virginia holdings include tangible property such as watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles.
Each year millions of dollars in dormant or lost accounts go unclaimed. If you know anyone who has ever moved or died, the state may be holding unclaimed cash, lost securities, bonds, refunds, insurance claims, deposits, jewelry or coins. There is no charge to search the state data for anyone's name.
Another tip that may be helpful is to try various combinations of your name, try putting you first name last and your last name first. Don't forget that you may have assets in your maiden name.
Keep in mind that if someone calls or writes to you and asks that you pay them money for the successful return of your unclaimed property, you probably have some out there somewhere. The folks who are contacting you are called "heir finders." They are not likely to contact you unless they believe that they have found property belonging to you. Heir finders generally charge a fee to locate and help return unclaimed property to you.
In addition to money and securities, the state's holdings include tangible property such as watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles. Unclaimed money is deposited into a state school fund, and is used exclusively for public education. There are, however, no statute of limitations. Anyone has the right to claim property, at no cost to them, at any time, regardless of the amount or the length of time lapsed.
