Local

$313 million in unclaimed property returned to Floridians

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — More Floridians than ever before are cashing in by using the state’s Division of Unclaimed Property.

More than 513,000 individual claims were paid throughout the 2016-2017 fiscal year, a double-digit increase over the previous fiscal year, the division said.

Those claims yielded $313 million to Florida residents.

The division said one in five Floridians has an unclaimed account in their name.

“I am impressed with the incredible accomplishments of the unclaimed property program, and I look forward to its continued success in the future,” said Jimmy Patronis, the state’s chief financial officer. “It’s easier than it might seem to lose track of an account, and I want all Floridians to know that we’re working to return their hard-earned funds back to them.”

According to the division, the most common types of unclaimed property include dormant accounts from financial institutions, insurance and utility companies, securities and trust holdings. Unclaimed property can also include items such as watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles from abandoned safe deposit boxes.

To search for unclaimed property or to claim an account, visit www.FLTreasureHunt.org.