Proactive outreach, new Data Match program cause for increase

Nov. 24, 2025 – Auditor of State Dennis Milligan marked a milestone in his administration this week, hitting $100 million returned to current and former Arkansans through his office’s 

Unclaimed Property division. As of today, Milligan has returned $100.2 million since being in office. 

Unclaimed property is most often cash left behind from unreturned utility deposits, unused checking accounts or overpayments, and can also include life insurance proceeds, stocks, bonds or inheritances. When companies cannot locate the owner of these financial assets, they remit them to the state auditor’s office whose job it is to return them to their rightful owners. 

“We hit the ground running when I took office and we haven’t looked back,” Milligan said. “I credit my entire team for helping me reach this milestone. Instead of waiting for someone to claim what’s owed to them – many of whom aren’t even aware they have unclaimed property – my team has actively reached out to people all across Arkansas.”  

Active outreach is just one of the many ways Milligan credits his team for reaching this milestone. His team has attended countless festivals and conferences, held mobile offices and run an extensive letter campaign to notify people of their unclaimed property. Milligan has even driven to homes of people unable to file their claims online.  

“I recall going to an elderly couple’s home in Jacksonville to deliver their claim paperwork and help walk them through the process,” Milligan said. “They had over $489,000 and didn’t even know it!” 

Milligan credits his team for helping Arkansans become more aware of the program, commonly called the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt, and for helping to dispel any rumors that it is a scam. 

“People are understandably skeptical when they hear that someone is trying to give them money, but I try to reassure them two things: one, the program is legitimate; and two, the money we’re returning is their money,” Milligan said.  

In addition to active outreach throughout Arkansas, Milligan credits his new Data Match program for helping him reach $100 million returned.  

Act 114 of 2025 authorized the auditor’s office to send automatic checks to people owed between $50 and $5,000 without them having to file a claim – as long as the office can verify their identity. Milligan’s office has mailed more than 41,000 checks and returned $8.1 million since September through this program alone.  

“Thanks to the Arkansas Legislature, our new Data Match initiative helps cut through the red tape and get this money back into the hands of its rightful owners where it belongs,” Milligan said. 

The auditor’s office has more than $400 million in unclaimed property owed to current and former Arkansans. It is not limited to individuals; businesses and nonprofits can also have unclaimed property. To check the state’s database and file a claim, people may visit www.claimitar.gov.  

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