In fiscal year 2024, the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office processed a record 19,010 individual unclaimed property claims, returning $5.8 million to Vermonters. It is the highest number of claims the office has ever paid in a single year.
The state also received $18.14 million in unclaimed property for the fiscal year—the most collected in two decades.
Unclaimed property includes uncashed checks, forgotten security deposits, investments, and other financial property. Financial institutions and other entities annually report forgotten financial assets and turn them over to the state. The Treasurer’s Office receives these assets and safeguards them until claimed by rightful owners or heirs.
The state currently holds over $130 million in unclaimed property, a figure that continues to increase, highlighting the ongoing challenge of reuniting Vermonters with their forgotten assets.
Unclaimed property includes uncashed checks, forgotten security deposits, investments, and other financial property.
“It’s encouraging that our office is processing and paying more claims than ever, but the amount of unclaimed property continues to rise,” said Treasurer Mike Pieciak. “I hope Vermonters will visit missingmoney.com today to see if they have unclaimed property waiting for them. Every day, we reunite Vermonters with property left behind by loved ones and those funds often make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
Earlier this year the Treasurer’s Office reunited a Vermonter with a substantial sum of money they were previously unaware of, allowing them to continue living independently for another year in retirement. Treasurer Pieciak recently delivered an unclaimed property check for over $33,000 to the Montpelier Firefighters Association, funds they can now use to support their members and keep Vermonters safe.
“This money has been raised through the hard work of our members and families over the span of decades and losing it would have been devastating,” said Montpelier Lieutenant Fire Fighter Jake Larrabee. “We are incredibly grateful that we stumbled upon our name on the unclaimed property website, and after a very easy process we were able to have the funds returned to us. I highly encourage everyone to check for yourself, friends, and family. You never what you might find.”
In addition to raising awareness about unclaimed property through media campaigns and outreach events, the Treasurer proactively seeks to reunite Vermonters with their unclaimed property. The Treasurer’s Office recently partnered with the Secretary of State’s Office and the Department of Taxes in two pilot programs that send unclaimed property checks directly to individual Vermonters, businesses, and nonprofits.
Treasurer Pieciak said, “As Vermonters face high inflation, workforce challenges, and recover from last summer’s flood, we want to do everything we can to return these assets to their rightful owners. Our office looks forward to expanding these successful pilot programs and finding more creative solutions to put money back in Vermonters’ pockets.”
To check for unclaimed property, visit: missingmoney.com.
