SPECIAL REPORT: Claim Your Cash

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Story Published: Mar 6, 2009 at 3:38 PM PST

By Molly Kelleher

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Every year millions in cash and property goes unclaimed in Washington and Oregon and some of it could be yours. Action News reporter Molly Kelleher has the special report.

These days everyone is talking about money, who's got it and who's losing it, but here's a silver lining. There is a stash of cash you did not even know you had waiting to be claimed.

Action News called up the state of Washington and Oregon and asked them for a list of all you out there who have property or money waiting to be claimed.

In Oregon, inside the Department of State lands in Salem, sit box after box of cash and coins held by the state until someone comes to claim it.

"We hold money for one-out-of-four Oregonians and you have better odds than the lottery," said Cynthia Wickham.

For every trinket stored here, there's a lot more cash waiting to be claimed totaling of $250 million.

And last year in Washington, the department's unclaimed property section received property worth more than $100 million. That was for 2008 alone.

"Sometimes we get stocks, mutual fund companies, just a wide variety. A landlord that might a deposit, a rent deposit refund for you, a utility company," said Wickham.

The key is to look where you've lived. Go online to unclaimed.org. Pick a state and search your name. It's doesn't cost a thing and it's not a scam. There are some sites that charge you for a search, but steer clear of those.

And I even took my own advice. I found my money all the way in Massachusetts. My old Alma Mater Boston University is holding on to some of my money.

When I finished college, I left some cash behind. It could be from an old bank account or even a deposit to the cable company. I don't know how much yet, but the state says it's more than a hundred bucks.

So I filed a claim and I'm waiting for the pay day. It's the easiest money I've ever made, now it's your turn.

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