Look for unclaimed property listings in Thursday's newspaper

Thousands of Louisianians will discover surprise cash in their local newspaper this week, just in time for the holiday season. Starting Tuesday, Nov. 26 through Friday, Nov. 30, the new Unclaimed Property holdings of the Louisiana State Treasury will be published in newspaper legal notices across the state, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.

"I encourage everyone to check the listings at www.LATreasury.com for your name, and the names of your family members, friends and neighbors, too," said Treasurer Kennedy. "The Treasury holds $518 million dollars that needs to be returned to its rightful owners. No matter how small the amount, I want to get it back into your pocketbook."

One in six individuals has Unclaimed Property, and the average refund is $300 to $400. Louisianians have much better odds finding unclaimed money listed with the state than they would of winning money playing the lottery.

Unclaimed Property is money held by businesses and other entities that goes unclaimed and must be turned over to the state. It includes savings and checking accounts, uncashed payroll checks, certificates of deposit, stocks and dividends, insurance proceeds, oil and gas royalty payments, utility deposits and other funds. When a business cannot locate an individual the Unclaimed Property belongs to, usually because of a wrong address, the money is turned over to the state for safekeeping.

Since 1972, the Unclaimed Property program has returned nearly $270 million to over 200,000 Louisiana citizens. "The Unclaimed Property Program had a record-breaking year, collecting $73 million in unclaimed money and reuniting $27 million with the rightful owners," said Treasurer Kennedy.

To search the Louisiana Unclaimed Property listings and submit a claim online, visit www.LATreasury.com. For assistance by telephone, call toll-free 1-888-925-4127 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.