(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s Department of Revenue has returned $9.9 million to residents of the state.
The funds are unclaimed property that can include funds from savings or checking accounts, uncashed dividends, insurance policies and other accounts that could have been forgotten by the owner.
Residents can search to see if they have unclaimed funds on the department’s website.
Banks, credit unions, insurance companies and other businesses are required to report unclaimed property to the department each year by Nov. 1.
The department then sent 470 notices to people have more than $2,000 in unclaimed property, which amounted to $4.4 million.
The department also sent $3.5 million worth of checks to 30,342 people who were identified as having less than $2,000 in unclaimed property.
Another 216 residents received both a letter and a check, a category of people who received $1.8 million in returned funds.
“It’s our duty to reunite rightful owners with their unclaimed property,” said Department of Revenue Secretary Designee of Revenue David Casey. “At a time when many are struggling, the Department of Revenue is proud to play a role in providing financial relief. By returning almost $10 million in unclaimed property this March, we’re hoping to ease some of the burden facing our citizens.”
The returned funds are just part of the total unclaimed funds the department has in its control.