PUTNEY — Every year, millions of unclaimed assets end up with the Vermont Office of the State Treasurer.
Treasurer Beth Pearce makes a concerted effort to get those assets back to the rightful owners, citizens of Vermont. In 2015, $5.11 million was returned to 13,107 people.
The assets could be forgotten bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, security deposits - almost anything. In addition to cash, other equities are also returned.
These assets do not belong to the state, but the state is responsible for holding and returning them to their respective owners.
This year, I decided I would help Beth return those assets to the residents of Windham County. The list is printed in an insert in many newspapers in the state, but still people are unaware they might have something to claim.
So the treasurer sent me a list of Windham County residents, divided into three categories - under $10, under $200, and over $200. I decided I would start with those over $200 by sending a letter with instructions and a claim form. By the time I got halfway through the category, I had about 1,200 names. Yikes! I was already up to $720. Too much. So I am hoping to alert people through the news outlets.
Simply go to VermontTreasurer.gov/unclaimed-property to view an alphabetical list. Check your name (consider different spellings, if appropriate), your business, nonprofit, place of worship, community organization. The directions are there.
An important thing to remember: there is no cost to you to claim what is rightfully yours. There are folks out there who go through the lists, then contact people and offer to reclaim their property for a fee. While that is legal, it is a bit unethical, as you can just do it yourself.
So, happy claiming! I hope everyone gets their money and other assets back.