Treasurer McCord Visits 98th PA Farm Show as Treasury Seeks to Return $440,000 in Unclaimed Property to Ag Organizations

Harrisburg – January 6, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Farmers, food manufacturers, equipment manufacturers and dealers, wineries, and agricultural youth organizations are among the groups that are owed more than $440,000 in unclaimed property, said State Treasurer Rob McCord today as he visited the 98th Pennsylvania Farm Show.

In conjunction with the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the country, which gets underway today, Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Return Team scoured its database in search of property owed to agribusinesses and agriculture-related organizations, as well as vendors at the Farm Show.

“Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s largest industry. It provides about one out of every seven jobs in the state; it generates about $67 billion in economic activity; and it supplies the food we need to survive,” said Treasurer McCord. “Like any business, farmers and companies that serve the industry need funds to operate, invest and grow. Pennsylvania’s Unclaimed Property Program can be a source of funding that doesn’t require debt or giving up a portion of their ownership stake because this property already belongs to them. We want to put this property back into their hands so they can invest these dollars to create jobs, grow their business and grow our economy.”

The more than $440,000 the Treasurer highlighted today is just a fraction of the $2.2 billion in unclaimed property Treasury is currently seeking to reunite with businesses, organizations, and citizens across the state. Among those rightful owners Treasury’s Return Team identified through its agriculture-specific search were:

Farms like Leon Epler Farms in Northumberland;
Farm supply and equipment companies like Fritsch Farm Supply of Hookstown;
Orchards like Linvilla Orchard in Media;
Agriculture clubs like the East Buffalo Pioneers 4-H Club in Washington;
Livestock merchants like the Meadville Livestock Auction of Conneautville; and
Dairy farms like Bectels Dairy of Lewisburg.

Treasurer McCord noted about one out of every 10 Pennsylvanians are owed unclaimed property, and the average claim is worth about $1,200.

Anyone can search Treasury’s online database of unclaimed property for free by visiting www.patreasury.gov or by calling 1-800-222-2046, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to speak with a member of Treasury’s Return Team.

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