Citizens urged to check for unclaimed property

Citizens around the state are collectively owed more than $110 million in unclaimed property that has been turned over to the Wyoming State Treasurer’s Office.

Governor Mark Gordon has proclaimed February 1 to be “Unclaimed Property Day” in an effort to get the word out and encourage all residents to check whether they are entitled to any of this money.

To do so, visit mycash.wyo.gov and search the website using your last name or business name, or by entering a property ID number.

Properties are generally money but can also include stock and mutual fund shares, or the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes.

If you do locate property that is owed to you, the website can also be used to file a claim.

“During the last fiscal year that ended June 30, our office issued 9,342 checks worth more than $10.64 million,” State Treasurer Curt Meier said.

“Since that time, we have received close to $12 million in new money, so even if you have found any of these unclaimed funds in the past, it is worth the time to search your name again.”

Some of the unclaimed properties may only be worth a few pennies, but the State of Wyoming paid one individual more than $740,000 in the last fiscal year.

More recently, the State has issued six separate checks exceeding $100,000 in the current fiscal year, including a check just a few pennies shy of $110,000 mailed to a Sublette County resident at the end of January.