Massachusetts Is Sitting on $2 Billion in Unclaimed Property

The Office of Massachusetts Treasurer and Receiver General Deborah B. Goldberg is sitting on an unclaimed fortune, and some may belong to you without you knowing it.

"The Unclaimed Property division of the Massachusetts State Treasury connects citizens with their abandoned property such as bank accounts, uncashed checks, stocks or dividends, insurance policies, or the contents of safe deposit boxes," the State Treasury said.

It does not include real estate or vehicles.

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"The state holds this reported property until the rightful owner or heir claims it," according to the department, which adds, "One in 10 people have property that they don't know about."

So how do you find out if you have a share of the $2 billion?

The Treasury Department says you can visit its website at FindMassMoney.gov to fill out a form, file a claim at UnclaimedProperty@tre.state.ma.us, write the Office of the Treasurer at 1MassTreasury.org, or contact the Unclaimed Property Division by telephone at (617) 367-0400.

The Treasury Department says, "The Unclaimed Property division receives abandoned from banks and other companies after they've been unable to reach the owners for three years."

The Treasury "provides searching tools to citizens so they can find and claim the property and prove it is rightfully theirs."

After submitting a claim, you will receive an email with instructions for the next steps you need to take to prove your claim. It could take as long as 180 days to process a claim.

The Office of Massachusetts Treasurer and Receiver General Deborah B. Goldberg is at 1 Ashburton Place, 12th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts.