| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| July 30, 2001 | Stephanie Brand (651-296-2317) |
ST. PAUL -- Representative Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) released the names of people in District 21A who have items recorded on the Unclaimed Property list maintained by the Department of Commerce.
Unclaimed property may be in the form of abandoned savings accounts, Certificates of Deposits, safe deposit boxes, uncashed paychecks or other remittances, travelers checks, stocks and bonds, insurance, or uncashed tax refunds. The only tangible property the department receives is the contents of safe deposit boxes.
Property is considered unclaimed if the owner has not provided evidence of any interest or control over the property for a number of years. Savings accounts are considered abandoned after three years of inactivity; safe deposit boxes after five years; money orders after seven years, and travelers checks after 15 years. Holders of unclaimed property - usually banks, insurance companies, corporations, etc. are required by law to attempt to contact the owner of the property when it appears that the owner has abandoned the item. If the owner fails to respond, the property is deemed abandoned and the holder must include the property in the annual unclaimed property report to the Department of Commerce.
The following people should contact the State of Minnesota Unclaimed Property Division if they are interested in retrieving items:
Canby area
Bennie Mahlum
William Briggs
Marshall area
Business Credit Leasing
Garrison, Weldon
Luft, Holly
Lyon Financial Services
Maranell, Byron
Schwan's Sales Enterprises, Inc.
Skar, Sherwin
Tholen, David
Wood Lake area
Hoffco. Inc.
Labatte, Gary
If you see your name, or that of a friend or relative or believe that you may have some abandoned property in Minnesota, check out the Unclaimed Property website (http://www.commerce.state.mn.us/pages/UnclaimedMain.htm) or call 651-296-2568 or toll free in Minnesota 1-800-925-5668. You can also download a Claim Form if the property is yours or if you are an heir to an owner with property listed.
You will need to examine the Requirements Sheet which is included with the Claim Form for the documentation you are required to submit to prove ownership of the property. Be prepared to submit:
a copy of current identification a copy of your social security card evidence of residence evidence of doing business with the former holder of the property.
Additional information and documentation may be required depending on the type of property and the relationship of the claimant to the owner.
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