How Ohioans can discover if they have unclaimed funds

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Unclaimed funds -- lost or forgotten money from inactive checking and savings accounts, last checks from former employers, overpayments, and more.

Susie Wagner is the Outreach Administrator for the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Unclaimed Funds, which is currently holding onto $4.3 billion.

Wagner said the division does consistently work to reunite the rightful owners with their money, like setting up shop every year at the Ohio State Fair. This year, more than 1,000 claims were initiated during the event, but you can search your name, your family member's, friends or neighbors at any time online.

"And then the second step is just to review that checklist of documentation, and then you will need to provide those documents, so we can verify that the money is, does, in fact, belong to you," said Wagner. "And then, send it to us."

The process seems simple enough, but some of you messaged Better Call 4, with concerns or challenges you've faced when attempting to claim your cash. One of those messages read:

"I would suggest you do a further story about how long it actually takes to get your unclaimed funds back if you do jump through all the hoops they require."

"We say, please allow us 120 days to initially review that claim," Wagner said. "We review every single piece of documentation that we receive. And so, that takes time."

Another message read: "... They make it so difficult to claim. Proof that I lived at a certain address 10 years ago? What proof?"

"Proof of address, a lot of times, people ask questions about that one because it could have been a long time ago that this money was reported to us when they lived at an address many moons ago," said Wagner. "If you need support on other ideas of what documentation would work, we ask that you call us because we want to get these claims paid out."

And finally: "When reporting on unclaimed funds, you should also let viewers know that before you can get results, there is a fee of almost $30.00 per month."

"That is a big no-no," Wagner said. "You can always claim your money for free. It will be a dot-gov website that you will be on or missingmoney.com." Again, patience is key, as Wagner told Better Call 4 that there are 15,000 claims in a queue right now to be reviewed.