BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Treasury is publishing 89,719 unclaimed property records in official newspapers across all 64 parishes this week, encouraging residents to check whether the state is holding money or other assets belonging to them.
The annual publication lists individuals and entities associated with unclaimed property reported to the state during the past year. The notices will appear in each parish’s official journal as part of the department’s efforts to locate rightful owners.
Unclaimed property can include tax refunds, oil royalties, insurance payments, unpaid wages, bank deposits and other financial assets that have remained inactive or unclaimed.
Before transferring property to the state, financial institutions, businesses and other organizations attempt to contact the owners and establish activity on their accounts. Those efforts may include electronic communications, written correspondence or requests to update account information.
When those attempts are unsuccessful, the organizations report the property to the state using the owner’s last known address.
The Department of Treasury then assumes custody of the assets and works to locate their rightful owners through direct mail, social media, advertising and local media outreach.
Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming encouraged residents to review the published lists and search the state’s online unclaimed property database.
“We have made searching for your name and claiming your money easy. Citizens can check online at LaCashClaim.org or call 888-925-4127. You may qualify for an automatic payment,” Fleming said.
The online database allows residents to search for unclaimed property beyond the records included in this year’s newspaper publication. While the annual notices cover property received during the previous year, the state maintains custody of older unclaimed assets until they are claimed.
There is no deadline for owners or their heirs to recover property held by the state. Claimants may be required to provide identification and documentation establishing their ownership before funds are released.
The annual publication is distributed through official parish journals, including newspapers serving communities throughout Northwest Louisiana.
Residents can search for property and begin the claims process at LaCashClaim.org or contact the Louisiana Department of Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program at 888-925-4127.