ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 28, 2006)—Maryland Comptroller William Donald Schaefer today announced that his office will issue a 104-page advertising supplement over the next three weeks to find 116,700 recently-identified owners of $75 million in unclaimed funds. The supplement—the largest ever issued by the Comptroller’s Office—will appear in 23 newspapers throughout the state, beginning Thursday, March 30, and running through Friday, April 14, 2006.
“Our number one job at the Comptroller’s Office is to serve the people,” said Comptroller Schaefer. “Part of that service is to connect people with unclaimed funds. We’re not just tax collectors.”
Financial institutions, utilities, insurance companies and other corporations are required to report to the Comptroller any bank accounts, security deposits, wages, insurance benefits and contents of safe deposit boxes that have been unclaimed after three years. Funds remain the property of the owners or their legitimate heirs and can be claimed anytime. There is no statute of limitations.
Comptroller Schaefer urges anyone who finds their name in the ad to contact his office at 410-767-1700 in Central Maryland, or toll-free at 1-800-782-7383 to find out how to make a claim for their funds. The Comptroller also noted that anyone can check his agency’s unclaimed property records for free online at www.marylandtaxes.com.
In addition to newspaper advertising, the Comptroller’s Office searches for owners of unclaimed funds by matching files with IRS and the state Motor Vehicle Administration records and setting up computers at the Maryland State Fair and other events to allow people to check the Comptroller’s files of unclaimed funds.
“The list we’re putting into Maryland newspapers is humongous,” added Comptroller Schaefer, “and the only one we’ll be doing this year. Our success on the Internet, news coverage on television and radio stations, and our booths at a wide range of community events has allowed us to explore new ways to reach unclaimed property owners. People don’t just read the paper as much anymore.”
UNCLAIMED PROPERTY ADVERTISING SCHEDULE FOR SPRING 2006
Thursday, March 30
Gazette Newspapers
Wednesday, April 5
Maryland Independent
St. Mary's/Lexington Park Enterprise
Thursday, April 6
Gazette Newspapers
Montgomery Sentinel
Prince George’s Sentinel
Friday, April 7
Baltimore Sun
Monday, April 10
Easton Star Democrat
Elkton Cecil Whig
Tuesday, April 11
Annapolis Capital
Cambridge Daily Banner
Carroll County Times
Cumberland Times-News
Hagerstown Herald Mail
Wednesday, April 12
Calvert Independent
Caroline Time Record
Daily Times
Frederick News Post
Harford Aegis
Somerset Herald
Thursday, April 13
Garrett County Republican
Kent County News
Montgomery Sentinel
Prince George’s Sentinel
Worchester County Times
Friday, April 14
Queen Anne Record Observer
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Michael D. Golden, 410-260-7305
Kevin P. Kane, 410-260-7578
