Are you the rightful owner of money that's being kept by the state?
We're talking about unclaimed funds.

Nearly five billion dollars sit in a Columbus bank just waiting for its owners to take it back.

These unclaimed funds come from a number places: old insurance policies, bank accounts, health reimbursements, businesses. You name it.
To find out you just need to search your name on the unclaimed funds website.

"The 3 steps to claim your funds is to go to our website, search your name, generate a claim form. Step 2 is review required documents. Step 3 is to send it to us on our website at unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov," said Susie Wagner, OH Div. of Unclaimed Funds.

If you're owed under three grand you'll fill out the forms online and then you can expect to get a paper check in the mail in a few weeks.
Claims over $3,000 often need more supporting documentation.

"If it's a more involved claim we do need some required documentation to verify that you are the rightful owner. It normally take us, we say allow 120 days for us to review that claim," added Wagner.

21 News Anchor, Matt Stone did a search and found out he was owed 40 bucks from a Boardman doctor's appointment from 15 years ago. it's a good thing he  checked because as of January 1st, that money might have disappeared!

That's because Ohio lawmakers this year passed language in the budget that included using $1.7 billion from the unclaimed funds to subsidize pro sports projects in the state.
That includes $600 million for that new Browns stadium in Brook Park.

Money that was in the fund for over ten years would then be up for grabs.

"The unclaimed funds is not abandoned property it's unclaimed. The reason it's unclaimed is because the state does a very poor job of letting the people know their property is in there," said attorney, Jeff Crossman.
Crossman and attorney, Marc Dann sued the state to try to stop the move.

"We all know if you owed 50 bucks for a parking ticket the government will find any way they can to find you track you down and make you pay that. You can't tell me the state can't check it's own BMV records, it's tax records. So there is definitely enough data in state data bases to search and do cross-references and find people and return their property to them," said Crossman.

The attorneys say they will likely move forward with that lawsuit and let it play out in court.
But for now that New Year's Day expiration date still stands for money that's older than 10 years so be sure to check that website for your name or even close close relatives who may have passed.

unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov