Franchot Returns More Than $26K at OC SpringFest

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 11, 2009) - Representatives from Comptroller Peter Franchot’s unclaimed property unit visited Ocean City’s SpringFest this past weekend, reuniting 37 people with more than $26,000 in unclaimed funds.  Comptroller employees were on hand to assist fairgoers Thursday, May 7 through Sunday, May 10 as part of a statewide initiative to help reunite Marylanders with money they are owed. Attendees were able to check Comptroller files for their names to see if they had any unclaimed property with one lucky person finding more than $5,000.

“In these tough economic times, it is our duty and our pleasure to return unclaimed property to its rightful owners," said Comptroller Franchot. “Everyday we work vigorously to locate the owners of the unclaimed property and to make sure they get what they deserve. This is just one of the ways we strive to serve the people of Maryland in the most efficient and effective way possible.”

This year, 389 SpringFest attendees searched for unclaimed property, with 37 discovering they had money in their name.  The largest individual amount found during the fair totaled $5,126. The total amount discovered proved $29,460.

The newest list of unclaimed property accounts will be released starting Tuesday, May 19 in 25 publications throughout the state. The newspaper insert lists 54,000 new accounts amounting to more than $38 million in unclaimed property.

The Comptroller’s unclaimed property staff next move to the Baltimore City African American Festival scheduled for July 3 through 5 and the Allegany County Fair from July 19 to July 26.  Agency officials will attend other county fairs and festivals in Frederick, Anne Arundel, Montgomery counties through October, as well as the Maryland State Fair from August 28 through September 7.

“I encourage anyone on the Eastern Shore who couldn’t visit our booth to log onto my Web site, www.marylandtaxes.com, to search our records,” said Comptroller Franchot.  “You never know when you might find some hidden treasure of your own.”