Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis says there are millions in unclaimed funds ...
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Join the Holiday Money Hunt!
Posted
Special to the Lake Okeechobee News
FORT MYERS -- Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced Nov. 22 that Floridians can recover millions in unclaimed property.
With the holiday season just beginning, CFO Patronis is encouraging Floridians to join his Holiday Money Hunt and search to see if you or your business has Unclaimed Property in Florida. CFO Patronis launched the Holiday Money Hunt to spread the word and help Floridians recover and claim cash that has been unknown or lost. Currently, Florida has $2.5 billion in unclaimed property and he is on a mission to return every last cent back to its rightful owners. Since Patronis took office in 2017, he has returned more than $1.4 billion back to Floridians.
“Now is the perfect time to see if you or your business has unclaimed property in Florida. During the holidays, everyone can use a little extra cash, and an unexpected check from the State of Florida may help make things a little brighter this year," said Patronisl. "I am going to be working throughout this month and next to get the word out about Unclaimed Property and I hope you take advantage of this great opportunity. One in five Floridians has Unclaimed Property just waiting to be claimed and it only takes a few minutes to search now by visiting FLTreasureHunt.gov.
In recognition of the Holiday Money Hunt, CFO Patronis and the Department of Financial Services’ official social media Facebook and Twitter accounts, @JimmyPatronis and @FLDFS, will use the hashtag #FLHolidayMoneyHunt throughout November and December. Follow along with us as we encourage Floridians to begin their search now.
Unclaimed property available by county incudes:
• Collier $39.78 million;
• DeSoto $2.45 million;
• Glades $688,800;
• Hendry $3.58 million;
• Lee $71.85 million;
• Martin $20,716,434;
• Okeechobee $3,359,371;
• Palm Beach $800,519.
Unclaimed property is a financial asset that is unknown or lost, or has been left inactive, unclaimed or abandoned by its owner. The most common types of unclaimed property are dormant bank accounts, unclaimed insurance proceeds, stocks, dividends, uncashed checks, deposits, credit balances and refunds. Unclaimed property also includes contents from abandoned safe deposit boxes in financial institutions. Unclaimed property assets are held by business or government entities (holders) for a set period of time, usually five years. If the holder is unable to locate, re-establish contact with the owner and return the asset, it is reported and remitted to the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Unclaimed Property.
To search for unclaimed property or to claim an account, go online to FLTreasureHunt.gov.