Des Moines, Iowa – The State’s fiscal year drew to a close on June 30, and State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald is reflecting on the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt’s accomplishments. “In the past year, my office was able to return over $24 million dollars to more than 25,000 claimants,” announced Fitzgerald. “Reuniting owners with their rightful property will always be one of the most rewarding aspects of my job, and I will continue to provide past and present Iowans with a free, easy and accessible way to find their treasure.”

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt was created by Fitzgerald in 1983 to return missing money and other abandoned property to the rightful owners or heirs. Each year, businesses and financial institutions turn over the assets from inactive checking and savings accounts, uncashed checks, lost stocks and bonds, security deposit refunds, life insurance premiums and the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes to the State for safekeeping. Fitzgerald uploads information to an online database, sends letters to last known addresses and publishes names in local papers to locate the owners.

“We reunited thousands of people with their cash this year, which means our efforts are paying off,” continued Fitzgerald. “But we are still holding $454 million! With one in 10 people being owed unclaimed property, there is a good chance you or someone you know has funds to claim. Search for yourself, family, friends and favorite businesses.”

Visit GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov to find your missing money and learn more about unclaimed property in Iowa. Connect with the Treasurer on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for a weekly list of businesses with unclaimed funds and fun facts about his office.