A close-up several United States 100-dollar bills is seen December 7, 2010 in Washington, DC. A study published last year found more than 40% of departing workers cashed out at least part of their 401(k)s, and most of those drained every dime. (Photo by PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Looking for money? Here’s where $700,000 can be found.
That’s the amount of unclaimed funds the Bucks County Controller’s Office wants to return to a range of rightful owners, according to Controller Pamela Van Blunk, whose office last year successfully repaid $427,330 and now seeks to find a place for remaining homeless money.
Some of the unclaimed funds go back as far as 2008, and belong to individuals, organizations, businesses and local governments. Data on check amounts was not released.
Van Blunk said unclaimed funds in Bucks government typically arise from checks issued by the county that remain uncashed for more than six months. It often occurs, she said, when checks are returned as undeliverable by the post office, especially when payees move without leaving a forwarding address, or when the forwarding address has expired.
The Controller’s Office – it oversees funds that belong to individuals and organizations that have engaged in business or received services from the county – provided a website to assist residents in reclaiming their money.
Go to buckscounty.gov/1731/Bucks-County-Controllers-Unclaimed-Funds, and use the “Unclaimed Funds Listing” link to search for any funds that may belong to them.
If a person finds their name on the list, said the Controller, the website then offers an application and instructions to claim the money. If verified by the controller’s office, the funds are returned in four to six weeks.
The Bucks County controller’s website also offers a link to the unclaimed funds programs at the state and national levels, said Van Blunk, “offering further resources for individuals seeking unclaimed monies.”
