The commonwealth is looking to return approximately $133 million in unclaimed property to residents, businesses, and organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania. It is part of about $1.8 billion the Pennsylvania Treasury currently holds.
Treasurer Rob McCord said everyone should inquire if they are owed money. "Almost all of us had some little bank account somewhere, or a forgotten or uncashed check, or contents of the safe deposit box of some relative that maybe passed a decade ago, and you'd be amazed at how long that unclaimed property lingers," McCord said.
In Pittsburgh, three individuals are each owed more than $64,000. A business in Bethel Park in Allegheny County is awaiting $18,000 to be returned.
Names of those who are owed money can be found in the unclaimed property database on the Treasury's website. Some of the names eligible to claim property will be published in local newspapers. Not all names listed in the database will be printed in the newspapers. Those who are owed money can claim their property online or by calling a toll-free number, 1-800-222-2046, Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
McCord also noted there is no deadline to claim property. "In some states, the state ultimately takes custody of it and it's sort of 'claim it or lose it,' but in Pennsylvania you have a perennial claim," McCord said.
Since 2009, the McCord Treasury has returned more than $330 million to rightful owners while generating about $300 million for the state's General Fund through the Unclaimed Property Program.
The following is a list of property available to be claimed by southwestern Pennsylvania residents.
- Allegheny County: $104,240,732.13
- Fayette County: $4,892,349.98
- Greene County: $1,201,935.08
- Washington County: $8,249,221.87
- Westmoreland County: $14,413,460.55
