The May issue of the Cumberland County Law Journal included no less than 13 pages of names of people and businesses living and operating in Cumberland County who may have property being held with the Pennsylvania Treasury. Your name or business may very well be listed!
All you need is last name or company name to begin a FREE search with a click of the “Search Now” button on the Treasury website, PATreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.
If your search is for unclaimed property that belonged to a deceased relative, depending on the circumstances of the decedent’s estate, you may need more information, and this search may be more complicated. Please contact us at Walters & Galloway, with our extensive experience in estate administration, we would be happy to help you with filing a claim.
From a quick tour through the website you will learn that the State Treasurer, Stacey Garrity, is eager to help citizens claim more than $3.5 billion in property and that the property held by the Treasury can be a variety of items, including but not limited to, money from savings accounts, stocks, dividend checks, lost rebates, the contents of forgotten or abandoned safe deposit boxes, gift cards with a balance remaining, silverware, jewelry, antiques, collectibles and musical instruments are just a few examples. In some instances, tangible items that remain unclaimed may be sold at auction and the proceeds from the sale will be held for a claimant and the claim will be satisfied with a check of the proceeds rather than the actual item.
There is also a link to search a list of military decorations that have been turned into the Pennsylvania Treasury.
As mentioned above, the search tool can do a search based on only a last name. If there is property, the name, address and an “Over 100” or “Under 100” amount will be listed as well as a property identification number. Information will be provided on the steps to file a claim.
If you have received a letter from the Pennsylvania Treasury with a Property ID number use the website to enter your name and the ID number and follow the instructions provided.
If you have received a Money Match letter, then the Pennsylvania Treasury has already confirmed you are the owner, and according to the website, you will receive a check in about 45 days.
Several tips are also available on the website:
| 1. | Include your Social Security number on the claim form and it may help speed up the process. All personal information is kept confidential. |
| 2. | The website has an example of what an official letter looks like that the Treasury sends to contact a possible holder of unclaimed property. |
| 3. | If an owner has passed away and you are related, you may file a claim online and indicate your relationship to the deceased. |
| 4. | You may choose to receive a check in the mail for your property, or it can be an ACH direct deposit. |
| 5. | If you would prefer not to file a claim online, you may call 800-222-2046 or email tupmail@patreasury.gov or mail a claim form to Bureau of Unclaimed Property, PO Box 1837, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1837. |
Please note two important warnings listed on the website:
| 1. | Never reply to a text from the Pennsylvania Treasury. They do not send unsolicited texts. It is a scam! |
| 2. | Emails inviting claimants to an event about unclaimed property. This is a phishing scam! |
Curious if your name or business is listed in the May issue of the Cumberland Law Journal? Click Here to view the list!
If you would like assistance in filing a claim, please contact us at Walters & Galloway and we will be happy to assist you. 717-697-4700
