Treasurer Loftis shatters record with more than $52 million in Unclaimed Property returned

State Treasurer Curtis Loftis announced today that South Carolina’s Unclaimed Property Program had a record-breaking year, with the State Treasurer’s Office returning more than $52 million in unclaimed property.

“This is an extraordinary achievement, but the most exciting part is knowing what these dollars can mean for the people receiving them,” Treasurer Loftis said. “Unclaimed property belongs to our citizens and we are committed to doing everything we can to reunite them with their money.”

Unclaimed property can come from forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, utility deposits, stocks, bonds and other financial assets that businesses and organizations have been unable to return to their rightful owners. Each year, millions of dollars in unclaimed property are transferred to the State Treasurer’s Office by businesses and other organizations.

For citizens, those unexpected funds can make a real difference.

“The calls and letters we receive from people who find money they never knew was waiting for them are incredibly rewarding,” Loftis said. “Sometimes it helps a family replace a leaky roof or repair a broken HVAC system. Other times, it provides extra money for a child’s education, a wedding, a vacation or another important expense. Whatever the amount, returning money to the people who rightfully own it is what this program is all about.”

Since taking office in 2011, Treasurer Loftis has returned over $470 million, more than 4.5 times the amount returned by all previous South Carolina State Treasurer’s combined.

“Breaking a record is exciting, but we’re not finished,” Loftis said. “There is still money waiting to be found, and our goal is to return as much of it as possible. I encourage every South Carolinian to search their name, check for family members and look for their business. It only takes a few minutes, and you may be surprised by what you find.”

Could some of that money belong to you?

Visit treasurer.sc.gov(opens in new tab) to search for unclaimed property for yourself, your family or your business!