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WILKES-BARRE — Valentine’s Day may be over, but Pennsylvania treasurer and Berwick native Joe Torsella said his department’s Bureau of Unclaimed Property is still holding plenty of items that can keep the Valentine’s spirit alive.
Heart pendants, diamond rings, and dozens of necklaces are all just waiting in the Treasury vault for the rightful heir to come along.
“Last year we returned a historic $254 million in unclaimed property, but the Treasury Vault is still full of lonely hearts,” Torsella said in a news release.
Treasury is also looking for actual “Valentines.” More than 2,800 Pennsylvanians with the first, middle, or last name “Valentine” have a combined total of $379,000 worth of property available to claim.
Unclaimed property is any financial asset that has gone unclaimed for a period of time, usually three years. Under Pennsylvania law, businesses are required to report this to Treasury.
Each year, Treasury receives millions of dollars in unclaimed property – items such as abandoned bank accounts, forgotten stocks, uncashed checks and contents of safety deposit boxes. The property remains available for claim by the owners or their heirs in perpetuity and Torsella said Treasury serves as the custodian until it can find and verify its rightful legal owner.
Last year’s $254 million in returned property is a historic 34 percent increase from 2016.
Potential claimants may search Treasury’s website for unclaimed property — https://www.patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property/
Residents can also call toll-free at 1-800-222-2046.