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State auditor seeks owners of $21 million lost property Wednesday, Oct 3, 2007 Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - More than $100 million in unclaimed booty is at stake in the 2007 version of the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt, state Auditor Jim Wood said Tuesday in announcing this year's program. "Look at these," Wood said as he reached into a velvet-covered box and pulled out a handful from what he estimated was "a gallon" of pearls discovered in a Russellville bank safety deposit box. They were among about $21 million in unclaimed property collected during the 2006-2007 fiscal year, Wood said. Also on display during Wood's news conference at the Capitol were land deeds, old black and white photographs, coins, jewelry, silverware and old marriage licenses, including one from Young County, Texas, dated July 22, 1895 for John R. Cox and Eliza Adams. Since the treasure hunt began in 1984, the auditor's office has returned nearly $50.5 million to Arkansans. The state auditor's responsibilities include locating the owners of abandoned bank accounts, stock certificates, mineral royalties, safe-deposit boxes and cash, as well as uncashed checks. On Thursday, a list of 5,000 people with $400 or more in unclaimed property will be displayed at 7 p.m. on the Arkansas Educational Television Network, Wood said. The list also was displayed on AETN at 5 p.m. Saturday. On Oct. 11, the auditor's office will insert tabloid sections in newspapers around the state that lists major owners of $50 or more in unclaimed property. People who think they may have unclaimed assets can call a toll-free telephone 1-800-CLAIM-IT for information or check a Web site at www.auditorjimwood.org for a complete list of names. |
