FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Comptroller Franchot Gives Back Over $3000 at Allegany County Fair

--Unclaimed Property Booth is visited by 150; Four find money--

ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 30, 2008) - Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot's Unclaimed Property Booth visited the Allegany County Fair last week, reuniting four people with over $3000 in unclaimed funds. Comptroller employees were at the Allegany County Fair and Agricultural Expo from Monday, July 21 until Saturday, July 26 as part of a statewide initiative to help reunite Marylanders with money they are owed. Fair attendees were able to check Comptroller files for their names to see if they had any unclaimed property.

"In these tough economic times, it is our duty and our pleasure to return unclaimed property to its rightful owners," said Comptroller Franchot. "Everyday we work vigorously to locate the owners of the unclaimed property and to make sure they get what they deserve. This is just one of the ways we strive to serve the people of Maryland in the most efficient and effective way possible."

This year, 150 fair attendees searched for unclaimed property, with four discovering they had money in their name. The largest individual amount found during the fair was $2,074.63. The total amount discovered was $3,666.85.

The Comptroller's Unclaimed Property Booth next moves to the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair scheduled for August 8 through August 16 and the Maryland State Fair from August 21 to September 1. The Booth is scheduled to attend several more county fairs and festivals in Frederick, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Talbot and Wicomico counties through November.

"I encourage anyone in Allegany County who couldn't visit our booth to log onto my website, www.marylandtaxes.com, to search our records," said Comptroller Franchot. "You never know when you might find some hidden treasure of your own."

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Contact: Caron Brace, 410-260-7438 (office); 410-212-9414 (cell)