The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is operated by the Iowa State Treasurer. The treasure hunt allows Iowans to do a free internet search for unclaimed money and assets.

They also list a few really helpful Questions & Answers that help people figure out how to see if they have any money coming to them:

What is Unclaimed Property?
Unclaimed property can be any financial asset that has been abandoned by its owner for a period of time specified by law. Common types of unclaimed property include:

• dormant bank accounts
• utility refunds
• uncashed checks
• unclaimed wages
• safe-deposit boxes
• insurance dividends
• stock certificates and dividends

How does property become abandoned?

• People move and simply forget about an account or deposit.
• People get a check, place it in a drawer (something they will take care of later) and forget
• When people die, relatives are often unaware of an old bank account, lock box or a stock the deceased may have owned.
• People divorce, move, perhaps remarry and forget to notify everyone.
• A clerical error at a company; perhaps the name or street is displaced or altered by a honest mistake causing mail to be returned as nondeliverable to the company.

Why does the state become involved?
The courts have long maintained the states' rights are derivative of the missing owner. In other words, the state stands in the shoes of the missing owner.

How long do I have to claim my money?
The State Treasurer's office maintains custody until the rightful owner or his or her heirs claims the money. At no time is an owner (or legal heirs) barred from claiming unclaimed property.

What does Iowa do to find the owners of unclaimed property?

• First class mailings
• Publication of the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt
• Listings displayed at the State Fair, Clay County Fair, and the Cattle Congress
• TV special segments for the news
• Public Service Announcements
• Radio spots

Do I have to pay to get my money back from the state treasurer?

• No! The rightful owners or their legal heirs always have the right to claim the assets, there is no time limit to file a claim, and the State Treasurer Office provides this service free of charge.
• If you are contacted by an individual or firm offering to return your property to you for a fee, contact the state treasurer's office before you sign an agreement.
• However, if you do sign an agreement for property held by the State Treasurer's office, the law is very specific. Again, before signing any agreement, please read the following excerpts from the Iowa Code.

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt

For Iowans looking to see if they have missing money that the state owes them, the politicians in Des Moines wants them to check out how they can find unclaimed assets in the state of Iowa.

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $122 million in unclaimed property to more than 310,000 individuals since Fitzgerald began the program. "We get millions of dollars in each year," Fitzgerald stated."We believe the best way to find people is to ask others in their community to help us. That's why we are sending out the top 25 list."

Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report and deliver unclaimed property to the State Treasurer's Office, where it is held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, and safe deposit box contents.