Unclaimed Property Is Missouri’s Largest Lost And Found

It’s billed as the largest lost and found in Missouri.

More than $1 billion in unclaimed property sits in Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek’s office. 

Malek’s office says around 1 in 10 Missourians has unclaimed property, which comes from financial institutions, businesses, government agencies and other organizations.

The average return is $300 and the treasurer’s office does not charge the claim.

Feb. 1 was National Unclaimed Property Day across the United States.

“We want to get this money back into the hands of Missourians,” Malek said in an email to county treasurers across the state. 

According to Malek, there is more than $1.9 million unclaimed property across 28,152 accounts in Crawford County.

Sikes told the Independent News she turns over money to the state treasury nearly every year from checks that went uncashed. 

“I first have to try to contact that person, but if they moved or have no forwarding address, I have to send it to the state,” Sikes said. 

Sikes said there are other forms of unclaimed property, which could range from safety deposit box contents and insurance money.

Anyone interested in claiming their property can visit www.showmemoney.com. 

Users can search for unclaimed property, track their claim and sign up for email updates.