The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is coming to Cass County. State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is gearing up for his fall publication in hopes of returning lost money to its rightful owner.  Fitzgerald says the State is holding more than $628,800 for Cass County residents in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt.

“Throughout the years, (he says), we have had tremendous success returning unclaimed property in Cass County. We have returned (just over $299,200) for people in Cass County, but we are always looking for more individuals. The fall publication signifies the names of people that had funds turned over to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt within the last year.”

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $182 million in unclaimed property to more than 438,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started it in 1983. 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.

Check the unclaimed property database to see if the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt has property belonging to you. Simply visit greatiowatreasurehunt.com to begin your search. Be sure to like Great Iowa Treasure Hunt on Facebook and follow the program on Twitter @GreatIATreasure.