According to Arkansas State Auditor Dennis Milligan, approximately 25% of individuals in Arkansas have unclaimed funds, which can include utility deposits, stocks, or items left in safe deposit boxes. On average, people in Arkansas can expect to receive around $100.00 per claim.
The Arkansas Auditor of State has a clear mission: to reunite unclaimed property with its rightful owners or heirs. Each year, businesses and government agencies, known as “holders,” report millions of dollars to the state. In response, the state takes on the responsibility of trying to locate the owners and return their lost assets. However, despite these efforts, many individuals are unaware of the state’s unclaimed funds search. The state emphasizes that unclaimed property can encompass a wide range of assets, including but not limited to savings and checking accounts, unpaid wages or commissions, stocks, bonds, utility deposits, insurance proceeds, cashier’s checks, money orders, and the contents of safe deposit boxes.
To file a claim for unclaimed property, it is important to note that only the owner, estate, or lawful heir of the property is eligible. Fortunately, there is no fee associated with filing a claim. To quickly and efficiently determine if you have any unclaimed property, you can search the State of Arkansas’ database at claimitar.gov. The website also allows for easy filing of most claims. However, if you require additional assistance, you can reach out to an Unclaimed Property Representative at 1-800-CLAIMIT (1-800-252-4648) for guidance throughout the claim filing process.
If you’ve lived in multiple states and are curious about any unclaimed funds or property you may have in your name, there’s a convenient option for you. Simply visit MissingMoney.com, a website that allows you to search for and claim property in 48 participating states. It’s important to note, however, that when checking the national site for unclaimed property, while a name may match yours, you must have actually lived in that state to have any unclaimed property there.