(Part 2 of 2)

Unclaimed money in Texas covers things like forgotten savings accounts, stock and cash dividends, bank accounts, un-cashed checks, uncollected insurance benefits and money orders to gift certificates and contents of safety deposit boxes that are determined to be abandoned by their owners. The latter is the sole example of tangible assets covered under the Texas Unclaimed Money Law and and they are sold off on eBay after 2 years of being being held by the State Comptroller's office. So if you're looking for antiques or family heirlooms that your Texan relatives might have forgotten about over the years, it's best to search soon or risk allowing them to turn up on eBay.

Texas unclaimed funds division manager George Tamayo states "From our experience, we determined we were getting the most bang for our buck on eBay." to which he adds "It's more cost-effective, because we are able to do the auctions ourselves." Texas was one of the earliest to use the auction web site early in 2002, switching from the traditional method of disposing of the abandoned properties through live auctions. According to Jackie Schroeter, manager of safe deposit boxes in Texas, selling items on eBay saves her office time and effort. With the live auctions, the office of Unclaimed Property would've had to close down to organize them, due to lack in manpower. It just takes a handful of clicks with a computer mouse these days.

The proceeds from the online auctions are returned to the Texas unclaimed cash fund where they can still be reclaimed by the rightful owners at any time. "The Unclaimed Property List contains the names of Texans with property valued at $100 or more that was reported to the state within the last year.", says Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn who went on to say in a recent report, "Since I took office, I have returned more than $532 million in unclaimed property to its original owners,"

This is excellent news indeed for residents of the Lone Star State, but do not think that the State Comptroller show up at your front door and deliver your unclaimed funds to you. Unless you have no immediate need for extra cash in your hands, you should search for unclaimed money in Texas or any other state these days!

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Area towns get share of state's unclaimed property
Local towns are among the 124 municipalities receiving a share of the unclaimed property money from the State Treasurer's Office.

How to Find Unclaimed Money Held by Local Governments
If you have ever done business with your local government or applied for a permit or license, or that sort of thing, chances are higher that you have unclaimed money held by your city waiting for you to claim it. Check out these tips and tricks to search for unclaimed cash being held by your city or town.

California helps owners of
Hundreds of folks with

Money in mothballs
THOUSANDS of dollars in unclaimed cash is owed to Bayside community groups that do not exist.

Rutherford to host cash dash
MARSEILLES — Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford is encouraging La Salle county residents to attend his Cash Dash event in the area Monday, Jan. 30 to determine if the state is holding any