Iowa fairgoers united with 'lost treasures'

State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald announced today that the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt had another bustling year at the Iowa State Fair.

"Over 8,900 claims of unclaimed property were discovered, totaling over $1.6 million," said Fitzgerald. "The largest treasure found during this annual event was $46,845.35. This was certainly an exceptional year for our booth at the Iowa State Fair."

Each year millions of dollars in unclaimed property are turned over to the state treasurer's office.

"Our goal is to return as much of the property to the rightful owners as possible," said Fitzgerald.

"Currently, we are gearing up for our annual fall publication, which lists thousands of unclaimed property owners in the state. We publish this list in local newspapers with the hope of returning these treasures to the owners." Iowans are encouraged to look for the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt publication this fall in the local paper.

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $134 million in unclaimed property to more than 267,000 people since Fitzgerald created it in 1983.

Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report and deliver unclaimed property to the State Treasurer's Office.

The assets are then held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, and safe deposit box contents.

For more information about the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, please visit the website at www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com or contact the office via email to foundit@iowa.gov.

Treasure hunters may also write to State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald, Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319.