$13 million unclaimed in Beaufort and Jasper counties

February 22, 2015

COLUMBIA — Beaufort County has $12.2 million in unclaimed treasure from 37,291 accounts.

In Jasper County, it’s about $1.3 million and 4,309 accounts.

The General Assembly has declared Feb. 18 to be Unclaimed Property Day to raise awareness of the Palmetto Payback unclaimed property program and tell the public and legislators about how the program helps the public.

The designated day is also designed to encourage South Carolinians to find and claim funds that belong to them.

The Senate version of the resolution naming the day, S. 447, says the State Treasurer’s Office Unclaimed Property Program safeguards unclaimed wages, checks, credit balances, bank accounts, utility deposits, insurance proceeds, money orders, travelers checks, and stocks and dividends.

What’s more, states the resolution, rightful owners or their heirs always have the right to claim property that is held in custody by the State Treasurer’s Office.

There is no deadline to retrieve the property.

As of last December, the program was holding $462 million in unclaimed cash for South Carolinians and companies. In the last fiscal year, about 27,000 accounts totaling $16 million were paid to their proper owners.

Go to www.treasurer.sc.gov and click on the Palmetto Payback logo to enter your name in the search field to check whether you have accounts associated with your name.

If your name is listed, you can print a claim form or request that one be mailed to you. The claim form includes specific instructions for filing a claim.

For information about Unclaimed Property Day, contact payback@sto.sc.gov or 803-737-4771.