Did I win the lottery of unclaimed property?
By hoseasmate
@hoseasmate (720)
United States
December 3, 2012 6:49am CST
I got a message from my sister that my name was listed on unclaimed property published in the newspaper by the Treasurer of the State. The address associated with this is a place I lived almost ten years ago. There is no information listed on the claim site except 'over $100'. I know if I lost $100 somewhere I would think I could recall something about it. So I want to know if anyone has experience with this and what this could be about. It was listed as official government site, but asked for my social security number. Is this a scam or a legitimate effort to reunite me with money that belongs to me? I can't submit the claim form without included the required information without including the social security number. Should I try to claim this?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@belindayhughes (1096)
• United States
3 Dec 12
State treasury sites usually have .gov. I hope it turns out to be legitimate. It could be as simple as a deposit on rental housing or utilities. Best wishes! :-)
1 person likes this
@hoseasmate (720)
• United States
5 Dec 12
I went ahead and filled out the form to start the process. I have to print it off and send proof with it to the State Treasurer and I hear from some other people that I should get a check in about three weeks. It would be nice to get some money just before Christmas, and then again, it might be just as nice to have a little extra right after all the spending for Christmas. I don't have a lot of extra and will be hand crafting gifts this year. But if the money is there and it is legit I will have something to buy some presents with. We'll see.
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
4 Dec 12
This happened to me-- I called the state office for it, and had to have my boys fill out a bunch of information in person, but I ended up getting money--121.00 or so. I hadn't even known about it (because of my illness)--but it had been an electric bill deposit that had sat around collecting interest for over 9 years. Call the government and ask, they know.
1 person likes this
@hoseasmate (720)
• United States
5 Dec 12
I did fill out the form for myself. I will have to print it and add some proof of identify with the form when I mail it in. With my daughter's permission I filled out the request for her and mailed her the form for her to add proof of identity to and mail in. I guess we'll see what it is all about. I'll have to post here to let everyone know. It's kinda fun to think I have some money out there.
@LaDeBoheme (2004)
• United States
3 Dec 12
There are legitimate unclaimed money sites. Like dragon54u said, it is usually for unclaimed or forgotten deposits -- utilities, rent, etc., forgotten bank accounts, lost retirement funds, tax refunds, etc. But also like dragon54u said, you have to have receipts or other irrefutable proof that you are indeed the claimant. How many of us actually save old electric bills from ten years ago?
Check NAUPA (http://www.unclaimed.org/) which has links to the treasuries of states, provinces, and territories. In most cases, I would be leery about supplying a SSN#, especially if it is not a secure site. Most government sites also provide the option for submitting a paper claim.
@akosibinot (79)
• Philippines
3 Dec 12
If I were you, I'll try to contact first people that are authorized to validate this kind of issues. Nowadays, we're not certain with how people do business. So it could be either of the ideas that came up into your mind. More important, is to never jump into a conclusion that you yourself is doubtful of.
@bandthaynes08 (10)
•
3 Dec 12
I had an uncle in mississippi that received money in a similar fashion. My mom had seen a news article that stated that there was unclaimed money that the state had for people. She went to the website and searched her name, my name and everyone else she knew to see if there was any hidden treasure that we did not know about. Sure enough, when she searched for my uncle, his name came up. She called him, he contacted the state and it was his money. It was from a retirement fund from an old job he once had. I dont remember how much it was, but I do know he did receive a check from the state for the amount. If I were you, I would research it to see. You have nothing to lose, just money to gain. :)
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
3 Dec 12
Is it from missing money dot com? That's a legitimate site and I've checked there and it did not ask for my SS#. You do have to provide proof of claim like an old rent receipt and the holder of the money, like a utility company, might ask for your SS# but I don't think any legitimate site does this--but I may be wrong. I'd be very wary of it. Look at the site and see if it is secure, like an https:// instead of http:// at the beginning of the address. Or can your state treasurer and check it out.
These are usually forgotten bank accounts or deposits that were not returned. I had $65 coming from a deposit back in the 70s but of course I could not produce an old rent receipt or utility bill to prove I lived there so I let it go.
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
3 Dec 12
My rule of thumb is to never give out my social security number to anyone who solicits it up front. I would label it as scam just because of that. If the truth be known probably anyone who goes to the site will have "unclaimed" property.It's most likely a site that is just trying to get info from unsuspecting souls.
@eagletrek2 (5499)
• Kingston, New York
3 Dec 12
Hi 1 since it was in the newspaper double check
the paper if it does not say adeverting on top of
the page.2 contack the state treasurer office
ask if this is there article in the paper?
they would have all the info,if you are at
the state office, then you have no probelms
giving your ssn number on a pice of paper not
know were it from is a differnt story
if you have friends that are lawywers ask them.
ok good day.
