Ohio Department of Commerce Director David Goodman urges Clermont County residents to join in the 2012 Unclaimed Funds Treasure Hunt by checking the Clermont Sun on Tuesday, June 26.

By checking the newspaper advertisement, readers can find out if they are entitled to unclaimed funds turned over to the Ohio Division of Unclaimed Funds in the past year.

Unclaimed funds are money or the rights to money that have been dormant or forgotten. Some common examples include: dormant checking and savings accounts, forgotten rent and utility deposits, uncashed checks, undelivered stock certificates, and uncashed insurance policies.

“There could be money sitting here with your name on it. Check the Clermont County list to see if you, your family or your friends have unclaimed funds,” said David Goodman, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce. “This money can help Ohioans buy a tank of gas, pay off some bills, make a needed home repair or take a vacation.”

In Fiscal Year 2011, the Division paid 46,222 claims worth more than $60.9 million. The average claim was for $1,318.

The Clermont County advertisement will include 2,759 unclaimed funds accounts worth $1,066,486.03. The advertised accounts, each valued at $50 or more, were turned over to the Division within the past year for individuals whose last known address was in Clermont County.

The advertised names will appear in alphabetical order by the owner’s last known city and then in alphabetical order by the owner’s last name. A comprehensive list of all unclaimed funds accounts is available on the Department of Commerce’s Online Treasure Hunt website at www.unclaimedfundstreasurehunt.ohio.gov along with forms for individuals and organizations to use in claiming their money.

Clermont County Information For All Accounts (Includes Those Being Advertised and Other Accounts):

Total number of Clermont County accounts: 48,175

Value of Clermont County accounts: $6,015,141.58