Chief financial officer Blaise Ingoglia announces record $58 million returned to Floridians in unclaimed property during September

Tallahassee, Florida – In a milestone for the state’s financial recovery efforts, Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced that more than $58 million in unclaimed property was returned to residents during September, marking the largest single-month total in the program’s history. The returned assets range from dormant bank accounts and uncashed checks to insurance proceeds, stock dividends, and even contents from abandoned safe deposit boxes.

“From forgotten bank accounts and insurance payments to utility deposits and stock dividends, we’re working every day to reunite hardworking taxpayers, families, and small businesses with the money they have earned. In the month of September alone, our dedicated unclaimed property team returned a record $58 million back to the pockets of Floridians,” Ingoglia said.

Unclaimed property represents assets that have gone unclaimed, lost, or inactive for an extended period. Typically held by businesses or government entities for a set time—usually around five years—these assets are eventually transferred to the Florida Department of Financial Services when owners cannot be located. This ensures that Floridians can reclaim money that rightfully belongs to them.

The unclaimed property program includes a wide array of financial assets. Bank accounts that have lain dormant, credit balances, deposits, and refunds make up a large portion. Stocks, dividends, and unclaimed insurance payouts are also included, as are funds left in abandoned safe deposit boxes. The goal of the program is simple yet significant: reconnect Floridians with forgotten funds and prevent assets from remaining unclaimed indefinitely.

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September’s record-breaking returns were spread across the state, highlighting both the program’s reach and the need for Floridians to check for missing funds. Major returns by region included Miami with $12.6 million, Tampa/St. Petersburg with $11.9 million, West Palm Beach with $10.9 million, and Orlando with $10.8 million. Jacksonville saw $4.2 million returned, while Gainesville received $1.7 million. Smaller yet significant amounts were returned to Tallahassee ($1.2 million), Pensacola ($1.4 million), Panama City ($1.1 million), and Fort Myers/Naples ($2.4 million).

The returns serve as a reminder that unclaimed property can include a variety of financial instruments, sometimes going unnoticed for years. By consolidating efforts to locate owners and making the claims process accessible online, Florida’s Division of Unclaimed Property has simplified the path for residents to reclaim their assets. Those looking to verify or claim unclaimed property can visit FLTreasureHunt.gov, the state’s dedicated portal for this purpose.

For many residents, these returned funds can make a substantial difference, whether used for household expenses, paying down debt, or reinvested for future needs. Small businesses also benefit, with some receiving payments for forgotten deposits or unclaimed accounts that had been held for years. The September figures underscore the program’s growing efficiency and the impact of proactive outreach.

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Ingoglia and his team continue to encourage Floridians to check for unclaimed property regularly, noting that the program is designed to be user-friendly and widely accessible. “We want every Floridian to know that money they have earned should not remain forgotten,” Ingoglia emphasized, reinforcing the department’s commitment to returning lost assets to rightful owners.

The September record is a strong indicator of both the scale of unclaimed property in Florida and the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to reconnect residents with their money. As the program continues, officials hope to surpass even these impressive returns, ensuring that no Floridian’s assets remain lost.