STATE TREASURER TATE REEVES PRESENTS $24,000 UNCLAIMED PROPERTY CHECK TO GULFPORT RESIDENT
Unclaimed Property Tabloid To Be Published Sunday, June 21
(Jackson, Mississippi) – State Treasurer Tate Reeves today returned $24,203 to Pamela Wilkinson, of Gulfport, from Mississippi’s unclaimed property fund.
“I hope that this large sum of money will be life-changing for Pamela and her family,” said Treasurer Reeves. “It is always a privilege to present unclaimed property checks to Mississippi families, especially those who have endured such hardships during Hurricane Katrina.”
Wilkinson was contacted by the Treasurer’s Office, who found her by calling her uncle. The reclaimed monies were received from an insurance policy purchased by her late father.
“I’ve been working three jobs to put my child through college,” Wilkinson said. “This is truly ‘God’s Gift;’ it’s so incredible.”
Wilkinson is a teacher at Bayou View Middle School. After Hurricane Katrina, she lived in the library for six weeks. Then, the school district allowed her to live on the grounds once her family received a FEMA trailer.
“We lived in the trailer for almost two years and even used the school’s gym to shower,” Wilkinson said. “We are very thankful that we’re currently settled in our own home now. We lost everything in Katrina, so this money is simply wonderful news.”
“We are always searching for unclaimed property owners,” Reeves said. “It is our job to assist citizens in retrieving their unclaimed money. In fact, the State of Mississippi has more than $40 million that we’re trying to return to its rightful owners.”
This Sunday, June 21 the Unclaimed Property Department of the Treasurer’s Office will publish the names of unclaimed funds in every statewide newspaper.
Unclaimed property consists of dormant funds that businesses report to the Mississippi Treasury Department. Businesses such as banks, savings and loan companies, insurance companies, and travelers’ check companies are required by law to report these monies to the state treasury after funds have been dormant for five years. The Treasurer’s office attempts to contact owners of the unclaimed funds by mailing a notice to the last known address. The State of Mississippi never assumes ownership of unclaimed monies, but acts as a custodian until the rightful owners or heirs are found.
Mississippians can check for unclaimed property on the Treasurer’s web site at www.treasurertatereeves.com or call the Unclaimed Property Division at 601-359-3534. All unclaimed funds of $50 or more are listed by the owner’s last name.
