Decision in response to recent water utility shutoffs

October 7, 2024 (Helena-West Helena, Ark.) – Auditor of State Dennis Milligan is ramping up his outreach efforts in Helena-West Helena due to recent news about the city’s water disruption.

Milligan operates the state’s unclaimed property program, the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt, which seeks to reunite citizens with their missing money.

“My heart hurts for the community and I wanted to do what I can to help out the residents of Helena-West Helena,” Milligan said. “I’ve instructed my team to do a thorough search of businesses and individuals in the area that have unclaimed property and expedite those claims.”

Unclaimed property can consist of any [inancial asset deemed abandoned or dormant for several years. It includes, but is not limited to, checking or savings accounts; utility deposits that were not returned; overpayments; life insurance proceeds; stock or mutual fund shares, etc. In some cases, it includes tangible items left behind in safe deposit boxes.

“We have over $400 million dollars that belongs to current or former Arkansans, and I’m trying to get that money off our books and back into the people’s hands where it belongs,” Milligan said, adding that any person or business could have unclaimed property. “This morning alone, my team helped residents in Helena-West Helena claim more than $66,000 as a result of this initiative.”

To check the unclaimed property database, people may visit www.claimitar.gov. Milligan wants to remind people his of[ice will ask for personal information to ensure someone is not making a

fraudulent claim. Checks can take up to 90 days to be processed.

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Dennis Milligan was elected Auditor of State in 2022. The Auditor’s office is responsible for ensuring payroll for more than 700 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/.