(TOPEKA, Kan.) - Today, Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, CPA announced that more than $601,000 worth of unclaimed property and cash was claimed by Kansas State Fair attendees at the agency's Unclaimed Property booth. In the 25 years the State Treasurer's office has been attending the Fair, this year was one of the top three years in terms of dollar amount claimed.
"We always look forward to attending the fair," said Lynn Jenkins, Kansas State Treasurer. "It gives us an opportunity to meet fellow Kansans and for them to search our records for their lost or forgotten cash and property."
"Once again, the fair organizers and city of Hutchinson did a great job," Jenkins added. "The State Fair is a wonderful opportunity for all Kansans to come together to celebrate Kansas and all it has to offer."
Unclaimed property is anything from inactive savings and checking accounts, uncashed checks, stock shares and bonds, dividend checks, insurance proceeds, mineral royalties, and utility deposits. It is also actual property from safe deposit boxes.
Kansans can search for unclaimed property or cash 24-hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting www.KansasCash.com. Making a claim is free and easy, with no hidden fees or charges. To search, a last name is required and a first name is recommended if the last is common. Kansans may also call the Treasurer's office at 1-800-432-0386. Claims which are $150 or less, with one owner who has a social security number on file, may be eligible for on-line approval. Claimants will need a valid Kansas driver's license or official Kansas ID.
"There is no paper work and in most cases you can have your money in five to 10 days," Jenkins said. "Over 50 percent of our 16,500 claims returned last year were $150 or less."
Each year $12 to $15 million worth of Unclaimed Property is turned over to the Kansas State Treasurer's Office from banks, businesses and organizations on behalf of Kansans. The Unclaimed Property division of the Kansas State Treasurer's office has more than $158 million in outstanding financial assets for more than 700,000 owners. At the 1998 and 1999 State Fair, $773,000 and $641,918 respectively worth of unclaimed property and cash was found by attendees.
Jenkins, a former State Representative and Senator from Topeka, was elected Treasurer on Nov. 5, 2002. She is a Certified Public Accountant and former small business owner. Since being sworn into office in January 2003, Jenkins has expanded investment options in Learning Quest, initiated multiple financial literacy programs, and eliminated the reliance on state general fund dollars to operate the office. A sixth-generation Kansan, Jenkins was raised on a dairy farm in Holton. She is a graduate of Kansas State University and Weber State College
