For Immediate Release
Friday, 21 January 2000
 

TIP OF ICEBERG, STILL SHATTERS RECORDS
$5.7 Million Returned to South Carolinians
- $90 Million Still Being Held

 
 
Columbia, SC – "Since the State Treasurer’s Office began returning Unclaimed Property to its rightful owners, there has never been a year like this," State Treasurer Grady L. Patterson, Jr., said. "We’ve eclipsed all previous records, and as a result, more South Carolinians have more of their own money to spend."

Almost 7,400 checks were sent out from the State Treasurer’s office in 1999 totaling $5.7 million - $600,000 more than the previous high of 1997. The checks ranged from small change to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"But it is only the tip of the iceberg. There are still approximately 800,000 accounts totaling $90 million being held for South Carolinians," continued the Treasurer. "We need to spread the word because it is so easy to find out if the state is holding money for you."

Much of the State Treasurer’s Office, Unclaimed Property Program’s success was due to the introduction of a website in April, 1999. From April to December, the Unclaimed Property website attracted over 715,000 hits. The website makes it easy for anyone, anywhere to check for accounts being held. The Unclaimed Property Program can be accessed through the Web, or people can call the office at 803/737-4771.

"We don’t hear enough about this program," Mr. Patterson concluded. "We are able to make a real difference in the lives of our citizens by putting their money back into their pockets. We have a great, dedicated staff aggressively helping folks every day. This is the kind of high impact, positive state program we need more of in South Carolina."

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For more information contact:
David A. Adams, 803/734-0380