Have you ever moved without getting your utility deposit refund? Maybe you left a job and never collected your final paycheck or forgot about an old bank account? If so, you may be on the state’s unclaimed property list.
The Maine State Treasurer’s Office releases a list of the unclaimed property in the state every year. The Unclaimed Property Program includes more than $247 million worth of Mainers’ property that was unable to be returned to its rightful owner. Last year alone Mainers lost $25 million in unclaimed property. Such property includes bank balances from old accounts, overpaid bills, uncashed checks and other assets.
The Treasurer’s Office holds these assets free of charge. You can search the list for your name, a family member or your business here. Should you find something to claim, the beginning steps can be done right from the website. If you have any trouble at all, please call the Treasurer’s Office at 207-624-7470 and someone will assist you.
Many Mainers in the greater Gorham area and across the state are unaware they have unclaimed property in their name. This property should be returned to its rightful owner, so please take a moment to see if you, a family member or your business is listed.
I do urge Gorham residents and others to use caution regarding scams and unclaimed property. In past years, the State Treasurer has issued warnings of phone calls, emails and letters in the mail asking for you to pay a fee up front in order to claim your property. It is certainly worth repeating that there is no fee to claim your property.
State Treasurer Henry Beck and my fellow lawmakers may use mail as one way to notify someone that they have unclaimed property waiting for them. However, such mail from the Treasurer’s Office will be sent with an Augusta return address, utilize the official State of Maine seal and have Treasurer Beck’s signature. Any web links related to the unclaimed property list will be official State of Maine websites, and you can tell if a link is official because it contains .gov.
If you think you are the target of a scam, please report this to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-800-436-2131.
As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions and concerns. Hearing your thoughts on legislation and issues both in our district and across the state is crucial to what we do at the State House.
Rep. Andrew McLean, D-Gorham, is serving his fourth term in the Maine House. He is House Chair of the Transportation Committee and represents parts of both Gorham and Scarborough.
(207) 939-8482 | (800) 423-2900 | andrew.mclean@legislature.maine.gov