Et cetera : \'Nothing Compares\' to Finding Lost Money

State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced today that a stop at the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt booth during the 2013 Iowa State Fair may be worthwhile, as fair goers could find their names among the hundreds of thousands of individuals with unclaimed property. "Over the years, we have had tremendous success in reuniting people with their lost treasures," said Fitzgerald. "Last year, over 8,100 people were successful in finding their name or that of someone they know."

"The Iowa State Fair is one of the most fun and successful ways we have to reach people who may have money in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt," Fitzgerald said. "The booth will have computers set up for people to search for their names or someone they know," Fitzgerald said. "Staff will be on hand to answer questions and to help treasure hunters print claim forms."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $165 million in unclaimed property to more than 404,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report and deliver unclaimed property to the state treasurer's office, where it is held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include: savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits and safe deposit box contents.

Visit the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt booth at the Iowa State Fair, August 8 - 18 in the Varied Industries Building. The building will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Go to greatiowatreasurehunt.com to search for your treasure today.