FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wet Weather Doesn't Wash Away Finders of Lost Money at Calvert County Fair

Comptroller's Staff Reunites Fairgoers with More Than $13,000 in Unclaimed Property

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 30, 2008) - Staff of Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot's unclaimed property unit visited the Calvert County Fair, reuniting 21 people with more than $13,000 in unclaimed funds. One lucky fairgoer found $6,594.

As part of a statewide initiative to help reunite Marylanders with money they are owed, nearly 300 fair attendees checked agency records to see if they had unclaimed property. Participants discovered $13,004 at the event. So far this year, the Comptroller's Office has reunited 745 Marylanders with $324,094 at county and state fairs.

"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."

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. In addition to hosting a booth at the fair, the Comptroller searches for owners of unclaimed funds by advertising in local newspapers and matching files with IRS and the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles.

The Comptroller encourages everyone to log onto the agency's Web site, www.marylandtaxes.com, to search our records for unclaimed funds, or call the office at 410-767-1700 in Central Maryland, or toll-free 1-800-782-7383 from elsewhere.

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Contact: Lisa Lester (410) 260-7210