HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Kansans come from far and wide to attend the state fair. Some are anticipating going home a little richer thanks to the Kansas State Treasurer's Unclaimed Property booth. On average, 2,000 claims worth approximately $500,000 are returned to Kansas citizens at the Kansas State Fair.
"It's a joy to be at the fair," said Lynn Jenkins, Kansas State Treasurer. "It gives us an opportunity to meet fellow Kansans and for Kansans to check our records for cash and unclaimed property."
The Unclaimed Property division of the State Treasurer's office has property from dormant checking and savings accounts, insurance benefits, oil and gas royalties, safe deposit box contents, stock and cash dividends, utility deposits, wages and court deposits. After the required dormancy period, the organizations are required by state law to turn the cash and/or property over to the Treasurer's office.
The Unclaimed Property booth will be staffed 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. September 10 to 19. Fair attendees are encouraged to stop by the booth in the Meadowlark building on the state fair grounds. For people not attending the fair, an extensive website has been developed to help individuals check if they have unclaimed financial assets. It is www.kansasstatetreasurer.com.
Currently, the Unclaimed Property division has more than $136 million in outstanding financial assets plus stock with a current market value of $2.1 million for over 650,000 owners. Each year approximately $8 million is returned to Kansas citizens.
Jenkins, a former State Representative and Senator from Topeka, was elected Treasurer on November 5, 2002. She is a Certified Public Accountant and former small business owner. Since being sworn into office in January 2003, Jenkins has expanded investments options in Learning Quest, initiated multiple financial literacy programs, and eliminated the office's reliance on state general fund dollars.
