Millions in unclaimed money still waiting for Iowans

The state has already returned hundreds of millions — but $650 million is still unclaimed. Here’s how to check if some of it is yours.

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The Treasurer of Iowa stops in Council Bluffs, raising awareness for the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. It’s a program that returns unclaimed property to Iowans across the state. He visited Council Bluffs on Tuesday to return thousands of dollars to the city, but says millions more dollars are still unclaimed by residents. “It’s checking and savings accounts that are abandoned, life insurance policies, rent deposits that were never returned,” Smith said. “My job is to return the money back to the rightful owners.”Smith says one in seven Iowans has money in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt and doesn’t realize it.”We’ve returned over $400 million of unclaimed property to Iowans, and we still have $650 million left to give back,” he said.In Pottawattamie County alone, Smith says millions remain unclaimed.”We’ve returned $10 million, and there is $16 million still available in Pottawattamie County,” he said.So how do you know if any of that money belongs to you?”Go to our website, GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov,” Smith said. “We like to say it’s fast, it’s free, and it’s easy. It takes about 30 seconds to check.”And for some, checking the website could lead to a life-changing discovery.”Just a year or two ago, we had the all-time record of $4.5 million — it was McDonald’s stock,” Smith said.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —

The Treasurer of Iowa stops in Council Bluffs, raising awareness for the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. It’s a program that returns unclaimed property to Iowans across the state.

He visited Council Bluffs on Tuesday to return thousands of dollars to the city, but says millions more dollars are still unclaimed by residents.

“It’s checking and savings accounts that are abandoned, life insurance policies, rent deposits that were never returned,” Smith said. “My job is to return the money back to the rightful owners.”

Smith says one in seven Iowans has money in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt and doesn’t realize it.

“We’ve returned over $400 million of unclaimed property to Iowans, and we still have $650 million left to give back,” he said.

In Pottawattamie County alone, Smith says millions remain unclaimed.

“We’ve returned $10 million, and there is $16 million still available in Pottawattamie County,” he said.

So how do you know if any of that money belongs to you?

“Go to our website, GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov,” Smith said. “We like to say it’s fast, it’s free, and it’s easy. It takes about 30 seconds to check.”

And for some, checking the website could lead to a life-changing discovery.

“Just a year or two ago, we had the all-time record of $4.5 million — it was McDonald’s stock,” Smith said.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.