$1M unclaimed still in Tri-parishes

Tri-parish residents have more than $1 million dollars in unclaimed property available from the state Department of the Treasury. And State Treasurer John Kennedy would like to return those funds to the rightful owners.

In Lafourche Parish, more than $100,000 has gone unclaimed, and Terrebonne and St. Mary parishes both have more than $400,000 unspoken for, he said.

According to Kennedy, a listing of the individuals with unclaimed property for the Lafourche, Terrebonne and St. Mary parishes were posted in the legal notices section of newspapers statewide during the first week of October.

“We had a record amount of unclaimed property collections this year, and we expect the number to continue to grow over the next few years because so many citizens were displaced as a result of the hurricanes,” he said.

Each year the state treasury brings in millions of dollars in unclaimed property.

“When an individual moves without a forwarding address, or when businesses cannot locate an individual to return apartment deposits, utility deposits or final paychecks, this money becomes unclaimed property,” he said.

According to Kennedy, businesses are required to turn in any unclaimed property to the treasury office. By law, the treasurer must publish on an annual basis the names of individuals for whom money has been collected in that particular year.

Kennedy encourages all citizens to search for their names on the Unclaimed Property database by visiting his Web site at www.latreasury.com. Claims may be filed online or by calling 1-888-925-4127 (weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

All claims worth more than $250 must be notarized along with the proper documentation from the website.

According to the state Department of Treasury, before any unclaimed property is released the owners must show proof of ownership with a driver’s license or any forms of identification with a Social Security number.

“When filing a claim for your unclaimed property, be sure to give updated contact information, especially while living at a temporary residence,” Kennedy said. “Let us know where you are receiving mail, where you want us to send your unclaimed property refund check, and if you have an updated phone number where you can be reached.”

Sophia Ruffin can be reached at (985) 876-3008 or sophia@tri-parishtimes.com.