State treasurer encourages property claims

BOISE — In recognition of National Unclaimed Property Day, Idaho Treasurer Julie Ellsworth urged residents to check if the state is safeguarding funds available for them to recoup. 

Unclaimed personal property — which can include unclaimed bank accounts, insurance proceeds, security deposits and uncashed checks — falls into state hands when businesses are unable to locate the rightful owner and forfeit the property. 

Millions of dollars are transferred to the Idaho State Treasurer's Office each year; according to a Jan. 31 press release, the agency returned over $13.6 million in forgotten cash to individuals, businesses and government entities in 2024. 

All 50 U.S. states have unclaimed property programs. According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, more than 1 million claimants recouped an average of $1,154 in 2023. Across the nation, $5 billion in total property was returned throughout the year. 

When pursuing unclaimed property, beware of scams. Treat unsolicited messages requesting money or sensitive personal information like your Social Security number with suspicion and search for property using legitimate websites like missingmoney.com and state webpages like Idaho’s yourmoney.idaho.gov.