Beyond my work on the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, my job in Augusta is to advocate for you and connect members of our community with state resources. Sometimes that looks like sponsoring legislation to help address a local issue, or offering guidance for folks navigating state agencies, but it can also include educating people about what programs and services the state provides. One such program is the unclaimed property program run by the State Treasurer’s Office.
Every year, incorrect addresses, misspelled names and forgotten accounts cause Mainers to lose financial property. If you check the State of Maine unclaimed property list, you may find out that you or someone you know is missing money that can be reclaimed.
Maine annually releases an updated list of dormant bank balances, missing checks, stock dividends, inheritances and other assets that have gone unclaimed. All of this adds up to hundreds of millions of dollars that are held by the state until the rightful owners come forward.
The Treasurer’s Office is currently holding more than $300 million of unclaimed property after adding over $13.3 million this year alone. It is possible that some of that money belongs to you, your business or a family member.
There are two ways to look up yourself, your family or your business and make a claim, both of which are free. The most effective way is to search online at: www. maineunclaimedproperty.gov. If you are having trouble accessing the online search, you can also call the Treasurer’s Office’s unclaimed property hotline at 624-7470 during normal business hours.
When beginning this search, it’s important to be mindful of scams, which are increasingly becoming more sophisticated. Scammers have in the past pretended to be speaking for the Treasurer’s Office in an attempt to commit identity theft. While there are some legitimate businesses that can help match you with missing property, be careful of people who try to contact you unsolicited. The safest thing is to contact the Treasuer’s Office yourself using the methods above. If you suspect a scam, get in touch with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-436-2131 or consumer.mediation@maine.gov.
It’s not often that we are able to deliver such a straightforward benefit to folks, so I’m happy to be able to do so through this program, which can help reunite Mainers with their hard-earned money. So please take a moment to see if you, a family member or your business are on the list.
If you have any trouble navigating this process, please feel welcome to reach out to me for assistance. If you have any questions about this or about anything going on in the Maine Legislature, please feel free to reach out to me at James.Boyle@legislature.maine.gov.
Rep. Jim Boyle, D-Gorham, is serving his second term in the Maine House of Representatives and previously served two years in the Maine State Senate. He’s a member of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. Contact him at James.Boyle@legislature.maine.gov.