PA Treasurer McCord: Treasury Holds Over $315,000 in Unclaimed Property Belonging to Vets, Service Members, and Veterans’ Organizations

Harrisburg, PA – November 14, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The Pennsylvania Treasury holds more than $315,000 in unclaimed property that belongs to veterans, active duty personnel, and military support organizations, and State Treasurer Rob McCord wants to help return this property to its rightful owners.

With Veteran’s Day approaching, Treasurer McCord said government agencies should always strive to ensure those who served have access to all of the resources and assistance earned through that service. Too often, the Treasurer said, veterans face challenges that create real economic hardships for them and their families.

“Our brave men and women in uniform, and their families make incredible sacrifices in defense of our nation, but unfortunately once their service ends, they face real economic hardships at home,” said Treasurer McCord, who noted the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans is reported to be more than 12% – far greater than the 9% national average. “As government agencies, we should do whatever we can to help them take advantage of available resources. In the case of Treasury, we have property that actually belongs to them. Now it is just a matter of finding these veterans and service members and reconnecting them with their property.”

Treasurer McCord said his department now holds $251,677 in unclaimed property associated with military addresses. The properties – turned over to Treasury by a variety of holders – bear military addresses, including army depots, naval bases and air stations, from across the country and abroad. Since January 2009, the McCord Treasury has returned nearly $86,000 in unclaimed property to military families.

The department also holds $63,633 in unclaimed property that belongs to veterans’ organizations. Last year, the McCord Treasury returned nearly $26,000 to veterans’ organizations.

The Treasurer encouraged veterans, active military members as well as their friends and relatives to search Treasury’s free unclaimed property database at www.patreasury.gov or by calling 1-800-222-2046, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A member of Treasury’s Return Team will assist them with their search and the claim process.

Each year, Treasury receives millions of dollars in unclaimed property – things such as abandoned bank accounts, forgotten stocks, uncashed checks, contents of safe deposit boxes.

Treasurer McCord’s Return Team is working hard to locate the rightful owners of about $1.8 billion in unclaimed property. Since January 2009, the department has returned nearly $264 million.

The McCord Treasury has generated more than $350 million for Pennsylvania’s General Fund through the Unclaimed Property Program since January 2009.

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