SOUTH BEND — Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced today that $2,736,125.83 in lost or forgotten assets, known as unclaimed property, has found its rightful owners to residents in the South Bend region that includes Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, Lagrange, Marshall, Pulaski, Saint Joseph and Starke counties.  That amount exceeds the total amount returned to this region in 2011 by more than $222,000.  Claims are still being processed and could reach $3 million by the end of the year. 

“Reuniting money with its rightful owners always brings me great pleasure, but I want to remind everyone that there is much more to be claimed,” Zoeller said.  “In this region alone there is still $14 million that I’d love to get back into the economy for Hoosiers and their families.”

The Indiana Unclaimed Property database is also now mobile.  Anyone can search for free through the mobile application — just use keyword Indiana Unclaimed to download.  The app makes it easy to look for unclaimed property belonging to you, friends, relatives or neighbors anytime.  Business owners and charitable organizations should also check annually for unclaimed property. 

Financial institutions and other holders are required annually to turn over the assets of accounts in which there has been no activity for several years, depending on the type of account. Unclaimed property includes investment earnings, insurance proceeds and benefits, wages, and money from savings and checking accounts. Less than one percent of unclaimed assets are tangible, physical items, such as those found in safe-deposit boxes. It is important to note that unclaimed property does NOT include abandoned vehicles, real estate or other such items.

In total, the state’s unclaimed property database holds more than $350 million in assets. In 2011, the Attorney General’s office returned more than 77,000 properties totaling more than $44.3 million.

The Unclaimed Property database can be searched 24-hours a day, 7 days a week at www.IndianaUnclaimed.com.  The Unclaimed Property Divisions toll-free number is 1.866.IN.CLAIM (1.866.462.5246).  This is a free service of the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.