News Release

Harrisburg, PA - Treasurer Stacy Garrity said today that more than 140,000 Pennsylvanians may have an extra surprise coming this holiday season. Nearly $12 million is owed to people and businesses with a name that includes the words Santa, Kris, Kringle, and Nicholas – or any of Santa’s reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and of course the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph.

“Whether you’re spending time with your family over Christmas vacation or staying home alone this holiday season, it’s quick and easy to search for some of the $4 billion in unclaimed property waiting at Treasury. And don’t act like a scrooge! If you don’t find anything for yourself, search for your loved ones – you might be an elf on Christmas morning by sharing the gift of unclaimed property!”

Pennsylvania State Treasurer, Stacy Garrity

One in ten Pennsylvanians is owed unclaimed property, and the average value of a claim is $1,500.

Unclaimed property includes things such as dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten stocks, insurance policies, tangible property like the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes, and more. In most cases, state law requires businesses to report unclaimed property to Treasury after three years of dormancy.

“People will always debate whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie. But there’s no arguing that finding unclaimed property is a great ending to a Christmas story! I encourage everyone to search our website for themselves and their families.”

Pennsylvania State Treasurer, Stacy Garrity

Tangible property may be auctioned after three years if the rightful owner does not come forward, and auction proceeds are kept in perpetuity for rightful owners to claim. Treasury never auctions military decorations and memorabilia.

Visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property to search for unclaimed property any time.

NOTE TO THE MEDIA: Photos and b-roll video of Treasury’s vault are available here.