CFO Jeff Atwater Announces Staggering $275 Million in Annual Unclaimed Property Returns
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – (RealEstateRama) — With nearly two months remaining in the fiscal year, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today announced that the Florida Division of Unclaimed Property has broken its annual fiscal year return record. More than 425,000 individual claims worth a combined value of $275 million have already been processed, surpassing the previous annual record of $271.8 million reached during the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
“Month after month and year after year, our unclaimed property team has continued to raise the bar,” said CFO Atwater. “Their dedication and commitment to putting these forgotten-about funds back into the hands of Floridians is unmatched, and I am proud to announce their latest feat. Millions more lays waiting to be claimed and I hope that all Floridians will take two minutes to look on our website for an unclaimed property account in their name.”
More than half of the money returned during the program’s 56-year existence has been returned during CFO Atwater’s seven-year tenure. Since 2011, more than $1.57 billion has been returned to Floridians, with more than $3.1 billion returned in total since 1961.
Currently, the Department holds unclaimed property from dormant accounts in financial institutions, insurance and utility companies, securities and trust holdings. In addition to money and securities, unclaimed property includes tangible property 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, or call 1-88-VALUABLE (888) 258-2253 or (850) 413-5555.
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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) & Twitter (@FLDFS).
Contact: Ashley Carr
(850) 413–2842
