The S.C. Treasurer’s Office looks to return $956 million belonging to state residents and businesses that currently cannot be located. The so-called “unclaimed” funds consist of bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, unclaimed insurance proceeds, forgotten utility deposits, stocks, bonds and other funds.
Typically, the agency has lost track of residents or companies because of an incorrect address or other missing information.
The treasurer’s office holds more than $22.8 million for Berkeley County residents and $20.8 million for Dorchester County residents.
To see if you might be one of the individuals with unclaimed property, go to the official website at treasurer.sc.gov and click to search for unclaimed property. Enter your name in the search field, and the database will indicate whether you have any accounts associated with your name.
There is no time limit for claiming the funds. The rightful owner or the rightful owner’s heirs can claim the funds anytime. The treasurer’s office will hold the money until the rightful owner can be found. Last year, more than $36.7 million was paid to rightful owners. If you have any questions, you may email the treasurer’s office at unclaimed@sto.sc.gov.
If you have a comment or opinion concerning the matters discussed in this report, or if I may be of assistance to you at any time, please feel free to call your legislative office in Columbia at 803-734‑2936 or email me at josephjefferson@schouse.gov. You may also call me on my cell phone at 843-991-0519 or email me at joejefferson@tds.net. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the House of Representatives.
