Auditor’s office has $444.1 million in unclaimed property

Feb. 1, 2023 (Little Rock, Ark.) – Auditor of State Dennis Milligan, whose office administers the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt, joins colleagues from around the country in celebrating Unclaimed Property Day today. Unclaimed Property Day was launched by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators in 2021 to raise awareness of unclaimed property.

“Unclaimed property can be any number of financial items, such as unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, certificates of deposit, unused rebate cards – you name it,” Milligan said. “We currently have a total of $444.1 million in the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt program owed to citizens.”

When owners abandon an account – through a move or a death, for instance – and the company cannot locate the owner, the money or properties are submitted to the Auditor of State’s office. The office’s Unclaimed Property Division then works to connect property to its rightful owner, Milligan said.

“Statistically, one in seven people nationwide have unclaimed property. In Arkansas, the percentage is greater at one in four,” Milligan said. “We are required to return property to its rightful owner.”

Since Milligan took office on Jan. 10, his office has returned more than $1.4 million in unclaimed cash through the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt program.

To see if you might have unclaimed property in Arkansas, visit www.ClaimItAR.com. Those who wish to check whether they have unclaimed property in other states may visit www.missingmoney.com. Arkansans may also call the Auditor’s office at 501-682-6000.

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Dennis Milligan was elected Auditor of State in 2023. The Auditor’s office is responsible for ensuring payroll for more than 600 state government elected officials, prosecuting attorneys and deputy prosecutors. The office also administers the state’s Unclaimed Property Program, The Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt. Learn more at https://auditor.ar.gov/.