Wisconsin matches owners with $8.9 million in unclaimed property

MADISON, Wis. (WKBT) - The Wisconsin Department of Revenue recently returned close to $9 million through its unclaimed property matching program, which uses the agency's tax records to locate owners of unclaimed property.

The department sent 36,943 unclaimed property checks worth $4 million as well as 493 letters for properties worth more than $2,000. The letters have resulted in $5.9 million in matches.

According to a new release, if the matched unclaimed property value is $2,000 or less, the individual will receive a check. If the matched unclaimed property value is more than $2,000, the person will receive a letter with instructions on how to claim the property.

Unclaimed property includes funds from savings or checking accounts, uncashed dividends, insurance policies, or other accounts that the owner may have forgotten about. 

Institutions such as banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and other businesses are required to report unclaimed property to the Department each year by November 1. The Department then holds the property for safe keeping until it is claimed by the owner.

More information is available at the Wisconsin Department's Unclaimed Property webpage.