2015 Unclaimed Property Auction Raises $1.5 Million for Public Education

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – August 4, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today announced that the 2015 unclaimed property auction held last Saturday in Jacksonville raised $1.53 million for Florida’s public schools. While entrusted in the state’s care, all unclaimed property funds are placed into the state’s public education trust fund where they support the greater good until claimed.

This year’s auction was the second-highest yielding auction ever, second only to $1.7 million raised in Fort Lauderdale two years ago. The highest grossing individual auction items included a platinum, 4-carat asscher-cut diamond ring that sold for $100,000 and an 18k gold and diamond men’s ring totaling 11.8 carats that sold for $70,000.

Included in the sale were more than 50,000 items from abandoned safe deposit boxes. Despite years of exhaustive efforts to locate the owners, no rightful owner or entitled heir came forward to claim the boxes or the items contained within them. All proceeds from the sale of these items can be claimed at any time and at no cost should a property owner ever come forward.

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

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Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, a statewide elected official, oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Atwater’s priorities include fighting financial fraud, abuse and waste in government, reducing government spending and regulatory burdens that chase away businesses, and providing transparency and accountability in spending. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).

Contact: Ashley Carr
(850) 413 – 2842