Treasurer McCord: PA Treasury Vault Offers Unique, Convenient Valentine’s Day Gifts

Harrisburg – February 3, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — Looking for a special gift for your Valentine? State Treasurer Rob McCord today reminded Pennsylvanians of a convenient and unique shopping option – Treasury’s eBay auction for unclaimed property at www.patreasury.gov. Shoppers can bid on unclaimed items such as 14K gold jewelry, designer watches, diamond rings and pendants that would put a smile on any recipient’s face this Valentine’s Day.

“We have searched our vault for shiny, sparkly and gilded items to add to Treasury’s eBay auction just in time for Valentine’s Day,” Treasurer McCord said. “Shopping online is a convenient alternative to hopping from store to store – and we offer a secure transaction, detailed item descriptions and shipping straight from our vault to your front door.”

Visit www.patreasury.gov and drop down the “Unclaimed Property” tab to shop the “PaStateTreasury” eBay store.

Each year, Treasury receives millions of dollars in unclaimed property, examples of which include abandoned bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten rebates, and contents of safe deposit boxes. The tangible items – things like jewelry, collectible coins and sports memorabilia – are held securely in Treasury’s vault. If numerous attempts over a period of years to locate the owner prove unsuccessful, the items are evaluated and then auctioned on eBay due to limited storage space in the vault. Proceeds of the auction are then maintained in perpetuity for the owner or heir to claim.

Pennsylvania was the first state to have a continuous eBay unclaimed property auction. To date, Treasury’s eBay auction site has generated $5 million in proceeds for owners or their heirs since it went live in 2001.

Treasurer McCord also encouraged Pennsylvanians who shop the eBay store to search Treasury’s free, searchable database at www.patreasury.gov to see whether they or their loved ones are owed unclaimed property.

“Treasury’s Return Team is currently seeking the rightful owners of $2.2 billion in unclaimed property, and we estimate that one in 10 Pennsylvanians is owed some of it,” Treasurer McCord said. “Finding some extra cash for a loved one at www.patreasury.gov could help make Valentine’s Day even sweeter.”

To participate in an online eBay auction, search for unclaimed property, or learn more about the program, visit www.patreasury.gov.

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