Pennsylvania has upgraded its unclaimed property system for the first time in 15 years.Officials said because of that, it returned more than $20 million worth of items to its rightful owners in the span of two months. But there is still $4 billion worth of property, and some of it could belong to you.Inside the vaultThe items are kept in what Pennsylvania officials tout as the largest working vault of its kind in the nation, secured behind 400 tons of steel and concrete. The front door alone weighs 60 tons.It was built in 1939. “This vault is way cooler than the vault in the movie Ocean’s 11. The only thing that that movie has that we don’t have is George Clooney,” Treasurer Stacy Garrity said.What’s inside the vault?The vault does have jewelry, coins and cash and other items.There are six rooms – known as cages – with 145 drawers in each.Most items come from financial institutions that are required to turn over any unclaimed property after three years. When it piles up, the state auctions it off. But that money will still go to the rightful owner, no matter when it’s claimed. The only things that won’t ever hit the auction block are military awards and achievements. The treasurer is a veteran herself. “Each one is priceless. Each one tells a unique story,” Garrity said.Claiming your unclaimed propertyTo find out if any items are yours, go to the Treasury website, click “search now” and enter your name and town. The site will show you if the state has something that belongs to you.Garrity said the average claim is $2,000, and one in 10 Pennsylvanians will find something.”I guarantee you that some of your relatives, some of your friends and your acquaintances absolutely have unclaimed property,” Garrity said.It could be from uncashed checks, dividend checks or stock certificates.It’s all just waiting to be claimed. Until then, it will be in the vault for safekeeping.
Pennsylvania has upgraded its unclaimed property system for the first time in 15 years.
Officials said because of that, it returned more than $20 million worth of items to its rightful owners in the span of two months. But there is still $4 billion worth of property, and some of it could belong to you.
Inside the vault
The items are kept in what Pennsylvania officials tout as the largest working vault of its kind in the nation, secured behind 400 tons of steel and concrete. The front door alone weighs 60 tons.
It was built in 1939.
“This vault is way cooler than the vault in the movie Ocean’s 11. The only thing that that movie has that we don’t have is George Clooney,” Treasurer Stacy Garrity said.
What’s inside the vault?
The vault does have jewelry, coins and cash and other items.
There are six rooms – known as cages – with 145 drawers in each.
Most items come from financial institutions that are required to turn over any unclaimed property after three years.
When it piles up, the state auctions it off. But that money will still go to the rightful owner, no matter when it’s claimed.
The only things that won’t ever hit the auction block are military awards and achievements.
The treasurer is a veteran herself.
“Each one is priceless. Each one tells a unique story,” Garrity said.
Claiming your unclaimed property
To find out if any items are yours, go to the Treasury website, click “search now” and enter your name and town. The site will show you if the state has something that belongs to you.
Garrity said the average claim is $2,000, and one in 10 Pennsylvanians will find something.
“I guarantee you that some of your relatives, some of your friends and your acquaintances absolutely have unclaimed property,” Garrity said.
It could be from uncashed checks, dividend checks or stock certificates.
It’s all just waiting to be claimed. Until then, it will be in the vault for safekeeping.
Read More:Pa. vault has $4 billion in unclaimed property
2021-11-04 11:06:00
