The State Treasurer is responsible for implementing the West Virginia Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. Under this legislation, the Treasurer is the custodian of all unclaimed property in the state. Unclaimed property includes items such as stocks, bonds, safety deposit boxes, weapons, vehicles and a wide variety of other items abandoned by their original owners. The property is collected, processed, and kept or auctioned under the Treasurer's authority. Money from this program is deposited in the state's general revenue account or held indefinitely, until a beneficiary for the funds can be found. The state holds approximately 250,000 accounts worth $60,000,000.
In addition to money and securities, the West Virginia holdings include tangible property such as watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles.
Make sure you check with every state in which you have lived (unclaimed property is generally turned over to the state of your last known address as reflected on the records of the business holding your money, stock, etc.).
Another tip that may be helpful is to try various combinations of your name, try putting you first name last and your last name first. Don't forget that you may have assets in your maiden name.
Keep in mind that if someone calls or writes to you and asks that you pay them money for the successful return of your unclaimed property, you probably have some out there somewhere. The folks who are contacting you are called "heir finders." They are not likely to contact you unless they believe that they have found property belonging to you. Heir finders generally charge a fee to locate and help return unclaimed property to you.
In addition to money and securities, the state's holdings include tangible property such as watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles. Unclaimed money is deposited into a state school fund, and is used exclusively for public education. There are, however, no statute of limitations. Anyone has the right to claim property, at no cost to them, at any time, regardless of the amount or the length of time lapsed.
