Associated Press Published

Unclaimed Property Returns Increase to $9 Million

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The state treasurer’s office returned $9 million in unclaimed property to West Virginians last fiscal year.

Treasurer John Perdue says that’s higher than previous years. The Charleston Daily Mail reports that Perdue attributes the increase to a database that tracks down property owners.

Examples of unclaimed property include forgotten utility deposits, a final paycheck from an employer or safety deposit box contents.

To search for unclaimed property, West Virginia residents can go to go towww.wvtreasury.com and click on the unclaimed property icon. A partial list of rightful owners is also published and inserted in newspapers twice a year.