State Treasurer Curtis Loftis announced the Unclaimed Property Program returned more than $52 million to residents this year, its highest total yet.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina State Treasurer’s Office returned more than $52 million in unclaimed property over the past year, a record for the program, according to the Office of State Treasurer Curtis Loftis.
Unclaimed property includes forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, utility deposits, stocks, bonds and other financial assets that businesses could not return to their owners, according to the Treasurer’s Office. Businesses and organizations transfer millions of dollars in such property to the office each year.
“This is an extraordinary achievement, but the most exciting part is knowing what these dollars can mean for the people receiving them,” Loftis said. “Unclaimed property belongs to our citizens and we are committed to doing everything we can to reunite them with their money.”
Loftis said the returned funds have helped families cover home repairs, education costs, weddings and other expenses.
“The calls and letters we receive from people who find money they never knew was waiting for them are incredibly rewarding,” Loftis said. “Sometimes it helps a family replace a leaky roof or repair a broken HVAC system. Other times, it provides extra money for a child’s education, a wedding, a vacation or another important expense. Whatever the amount, returning money to the people who rightfully own it is what this program is all about.”
Since Loftis took office in 2011, the Treasurer’s Office has returned more than $470 million in unclaimed property, according to the office, an amount it says is more than 4.5 times what all previous state treasurers returned combined.
“Breaking a record is exciting, but we’re not finished,” Loftis said. “There is still money waiting to be found, and our goal is to return as much of it as possible. I encourage every South Carolinian to search their name, check for family members and look for their business. It only takes a few minutes, and you may be surprised by what you find.”
Residents can search for unclaimed property under their name, a family member’s name or a business name at treasurer.sc.gov, according to the office.
Based on a release from S.C. State Treasurer.
