Unclaimed Monies Part One

The Chronicles Of Grant County

Unclaimed Monies, Part One

You may have money waiting for you in Santa Fe (or Austin, Phoenix, or another state capital). Money owed to you that is being held by the State. But first you have to determine if you have monies waiting for you and then request those funds.

No, this is not a scam to have you part with your money. "Suzie" is not going to give you a call to let you know about your unclaimed monies. You know "Suzie?" She's the one that calls – repeatedly calls – to let you know about that auto warranty she wants to send you "before we close out your account."

"For your protection, banks, insurance companies, utilities, investment companies, and many other businesses are required by State law to surrender inactive accounts to the State," according to a statement from the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. "These accounts are known as 'lost,' 'abandoned,' or 'unclaimed' funds. The Unclaimed Property Unit serves as custodian of this money. If you can prove you are entitled to the money, we will gladly return it to you, at any time, without charge. Until the money is claimed, it is used by the State's General Funds, serving the citizens and taxpayers of the State of New Mexico."

There are number of people in Grant County that have unclaimed money. And the State of New Mexico would like to return the funds owed to local folks. "We really enjoy being able to get unclaimed property back to its rightful owners," said a spokesperson for the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. "The Department is happy to return unclaimed funds to anyone who can prove they are entitled to them."

The process to secure funds held by the State of New Mexico is relatively simple. New Mexico is one of many states that jointly use the same website, MissingMoney.Com, to list unclaimed funds. You can visit this website by clicking here.

If you prefer, you can change the language to Spanish or French by clicking on a button at the top right corner of the main webpage for this site.

In the section with the text "Start Your Search," place your surname and click on "Search." A new webpage will display with a list of people with your surname (or surname similar to your surname) that may have unclaimed monies. For funds held by the State of New Mexico, the specific amounts that may be owed to you are not listed. Instead, the amounts listed will either be "Over $100" or "Under $100."

To further clarify funds that may be due to you, place the name of your city in the "City" block and select "New Mexico" in the drop down menu of "Province/State." Then click on the "Search" button. If a listing appears that indicates that the State of New Mexico may have funds due to you, click on the "Claim" button for that listing. Then click on the "My Claims Cart" that displays on the website.

A new webpage then displays. This webpage lists the type of property for the specific item as well as which entity reported the item to the State of New Mexico. The website recommends that you verify that the item is in your name, that you lived at the address and/or city listed for that item, and that you have conducted business with the company listed in the "Reported By" column.

If you think the item is due to you, select the correct option in the drop down menu of "Relationship." Then, fill in the blanks detailing information about you and click on the "Continue" button.

If you're seeking funds that may be owed to a business you own, follow the same instructions noted above except putting the name of your business rather than your surname. Follow the same procedure to click on the "Claim" button for any listing that appears to be due to your business. If you think the item is due to your business, click on the button with the wording "Click here if claiming as a Business." Then select the correct option in the drop down menu of "Relationship," fill in the blanks seeking information about your business, and then click on the "Continue" button.

The next edition of The Chronicles Of Grant County will include some specific techniques that you might want to consider using to find funds owed to you by the State of New Mexico as well as other states.

Part Three of this series of The Chronicles Of Grant County will include details on several specific governmental entities that have unclaimed monies waiting for them in Santa Fe.

Do you have questions about communities in Grant County?

A street name? A building?

Your questions may be used in a future news column.

Contact Richard McDonough at chroniclesofgrantcounty@mail.com.

If your email does not go through, please contact editor@grantcountybeat.com.

Do you have questions about communities in Grant County?

A street name? A building?

Your questions may be used in a future news column.

Contact Richard McDonough at chroniclesofgrantcounty@mail.com.

If your email does not go through, please contact editor@grantcountybeat.com.