Kansas surpasses $400 million in returned unclaimed property

TOPEKA – (August 15, 2023) – Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson announced today that the state has surpassed $400 million in unclaimed property returned to Kansans, since that program began in 1979.

“This milestone of unclaimed property returned is an important reminder to all Kansans to check to see if they have funds that belong to them or a family member,” Johnson said. “I am proud of the work our team does every day to help Kansans claim their money. While the $400 million-returned mark is significant, we still have more than $500 million waiting to be claimed.”

The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators estimates that nearly 33 million people in the United States have unclaimed property: financial accounts or items of value in which the owner has not initiated any activity for a number of years.

When that happens, and the company cannot locate the owner, the money or properties are submitted to the state. Common examples include unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts and safe deposit boxes.

Sometimes third-parties contact individuals offering to assist in filing claims for a fee. While some of these third-party “finders” are operating legally, there are also bad actors who use the promise of assistance in claiming property as a hook for scams.

Johnson reminded Kansans that it is always free to search and file claims through the State Treasurer’s website at https://KansasCash.ks.gov.