March 19, 2024

Successful Iowa State Fair for treasure hunters

Thousands of Iowa State Fairgoers discovered lost treasures. “The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt booth had another successful year at the Iowa State Fair,” State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald said. “With more than 7,200 claims of unclaimed property being discovered, this was certainly an exceptional year. Claims totaled over $1.6 million, with the largest treasure found being $179,454.69.”

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $181 million in unclaimed property to more than 436,000 people since Fitzgerald created it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property’s owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report unclaimed property to the state treasurer’s office. The assets are then held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, and safe deposit box contents.

“We are dedicated to helping Iowans reunite with their missing money and property,” Fitzgerald said. “Visit greatiowatreasurehunt.com to see if you have money waiting for you.”