CFO Blaise Ingoglia launches “Claim Your Cash Florida” to return more abandoned money to Floridians

Press release from Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia

ORLANDO, Fla. — Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced the launch of Claim Your Cash Florida, a new statewide public awareness initiative to connect even more Floridians with their abandoned property. More than $3 billion in abandoned property is currently safeguarded by the State of Florida and waiting to be claimed. Claim Your Cash Florida introduces a new public-facing name and an enhanced website while continuing the work of Florida’s long-standing abandoned property program, administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Unclaimed Property. Visit ClaimYourCashFL.Gov today to see if you have abandoned property waiting to be claimed.

CFO Ingoglia also presented the University of Central Florida with a check for $41,716 in abandoned property. The University plans to reinvest these funds into its students by contributing them to the University of Central Florida Student Emergency Fund.

“Floridians work too hard for their money to have any of it left behind,” said Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. “We’re launching Claim Your Cash Florida with one goal: get more money back into the hands of its rightful owners. This new initiative makes it easier for Floridians to understand and recognize this trusted State program, search for their money, and claim it. We were also proud to work with the University of Central Florida to reunite the university with its abandoned property and invest this money back into the student body.”

“We know student success is a priority for the State of Florida. It is our top priority, too,” said John Buckwalter, UCF’s provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We want our students to stay on track and earn their degrees because we know what happens when they do: They launch and advance in meaningful careers; strengthen Florida’s workforce and economy; and change the trajectories of their own lives, their families, and the communities they will inhabit.”

About 1 in 5 Floridians have abandoned property, which is not land or real estate, but money and other financial assets that have lost their connection to their rightful owner. Leaving this money behind can stem from everyday circumstances, such as a forgotten bank account, an uncashed paycheck, an insurance benefit, a utility deposit or refund, as well as stocks and securities.

When businesses and financial institutions are unable to reconnect with an owner after the required period of time, Florida law requires abandoned property to be reported to the State, where it is safeguarded until it can be returned to its rightful owner.

Claim Your Cash Florida was created to make the service easier to recognize, understand, and use, with a trusted public-facing identity and streamlined website that encourages more Floridians to search for money that already belongs to them. Individuals, businesses, organizations, eligible heirs, and estate representatives can search ClaimYourCashFL.gov to determine whether they have property waiting to be claimed. After submitting a claim and any required documentation, the Division reviews the information to verify ownership before returning the property to its rightful owner.

What’s New

• New public-facing name and identity: Claim Your Cash Florida (No longer Florida Treasure Hunt)
• New official website: ClaimYourCashFL.gov
• New consumer education and fraud-prevention focus
• Expanded statewide advertising, media, and community outreach

What Hasn’t Changed

• The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Unclaimed Property continues to administer the program.
• The launch of Claim Your Cash Florida does not change Florida’s abandoned property laws and requirements.
• Every claim continues to be reviewed and verified before property is released.
• Searching and filing a claim directly with the State remains completely free.
• The Department will never contact property owners by text.

By the Numbers

• More than $3 billion currently safeguarded by the State
• Approximately 1 in 5 Floridians have abandoned property
• $800+ million returned to owners last fiscal year
• More than 4.6 million abandoned property records maintained and received each year
• No deadline for most owners to claim their property

For more information or to search for abandoned property, visit ClaimYourCashFL.gov.