What are the Odds? 1 in 10 Chance Pennsylvanians are owed some of the Mega Billions in Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Database

Treasurer McCord encourages Mega Millions players to also search www.patreasury.gov

Harrisburg – December 17, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The odds of winning the ever-growing Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 259 million, but State Treasurer Rob McCord today reminded Pennsylvanians that they have a one in 10 shot at finding money that belongs to them in Treasury’s unclaimed property database. With the average claim amount around $1,200, it could be well worth a moment to search the free database at www.patreasury.gov, the Treasurer noted.

“Buying a ticket for Mega Millions or another lottery game is an exciting chance to win a considerable jackpot, but there’s another set of odds Pennsylvanians should know about,” Treasurer McCord said. “We estimate that one in 10 Pennsylvanians is owed some of the $2.2 billion in unclaimed property Treasury currently holds. It’s your money and we want to help you claim it for free – search www.patreasury.gov today.”

Each year, Treasury receives millions of dollars in unclaimed property – money from items such as abandoned bank accounts, forgotten stocks, uncashed checks, and contents of safe deposit boxes. Treasury is currently seeking the owners of $2.2 billion in unclaimed property. To search the free unclaimed property database, visit www.patreasury.gov or call Treasury’s Return Team at 1-800-222-2046, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Since January 2009, the McCord Treasury has collected more than $1.1 billion in property, returned more than $510 million to rightful owners, and generated about $615 million for the state’s General Fund through the Unclaimed Property Program.

To learn more about Pennsylvania’s Unclaimed Property Program or to search for property, visit www.patreasury.gov or call 1-800-222-2046.

Media contact: Elizabeth Foose, 717-787-2991 or