Ohio Department of Commerce

05/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/08/2024 18:39

More Than $332,000 in Missing Money Found at 2024 Ohio State Fair

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Commerce'sDivision of Unclaimed Fundsis celebrating another successful year of helping Ohioans find their missing money at the 2024 Ohio State Fair, which concluded this evening.

At this year's fair, the Division helped nearly 1,000 claimants who visited the Division's booth find $332,829. The average claim amount at the fair this year was $334.

Two different fairgoers found claims of more than $55,000.

"The Ohio State Fair is our largest in-person outreach event and is something we look forward to all year," Division of Unclaimed Funds Superintendent Akil Hardy said. "It is always satisfying to be able to help Ohioans reunite with their missing money and to be able to talk to them face-to-face and guide them through the process and answer any questions they may have."

Each year at the Ohio State Fair, the Division of Unclaimed Funds sets up a table in the Department of Commerce booth to help reunite Ohioans with their lost or forgotten funds. Over the past three state fairs, the division has helped Ohioans claim more than $1 million.

Unclaimed funds are lost or forgotten money that businesses and banks report to the Division after accounts become inactive, typically 3-5 years. The money comes from inactive checking and savings accounts, refund/credit balances, uncashed cashier's checks, stocks and bonds forgotten utility deposits, or last paychecks.

The division is currently safeguarding more than $4 billion in unclaimed funds.

For individuals who missed the Division at the fair, Ohioans can still search for and claim their unclaimed funds at anytime by following three simple steps:

  1. Search for money at unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov
  2. Gather the required supporting documents
  3. Send the informationto the division either online or by mail

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The Division of Unclaimed Funds is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio's chief regulatory agency, focused on promoting prosperity and protecting what matters most to Ohioans. We ensure businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about what we do, visit our website at com.ohio.gov.