I found one official check made to myself from St. Paul Bank and a personal money order from Bank One, also made to myself. Both banks have been taken over by other banks. I was told that unclaimed money is sent back to the state. I checked the Illinois treasurer's website and nothing is listed with my name. What can I do? The checks are intact and were issued 18 years ago.
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The money order does not expire, but will have a service charge because it is so old. Read the back of it for specifics. The cashiers check is still good.
Thanks, Unfortunately the banks that the checks were issued from have been taken over. I went to the bank and was told that the banks turn unclaimed $ to the state. I contacted the Illinois State Treasure Office and was told to send them copies of the checks. I did, now to patiently wait and hope that they can issue me new checks.
I can't find the rules for IL online, not sure what I am doing wrong--my computer is all wonky today.
Best just to take it to your current bank. They can tell you if they will cash it out fully or if there will be a fee.
You mention the state's unclaimed website. These are so much fun!!!
I always tell people to check their state's unclaimed website quarterly just because you never know what is out there.
If your state is like mine, you will have to search a variety of ways.
Like put your last name and city.
Try your last name, and your initial (first letter of first name); try just the first few letters of your last name and first few letters of your first name.
Try your first name in the last name column (YES, I have found money that way--so bizarre).
If you are searching for someone who is deceased, put words like "Estate" in the last name field, or the word "the" as the last name. Yes, I have found money addressed "the" as the last name and the second name was "estate of" and the middle name was the dead person's name. SO BIZARRE!!!
This is why money gets "lost" no matter how careful you are...because computer garbage in, computer garbage out!!!
If the banks will not further assist you, contact the branch manager on duty and ask if they could further assist you, if not provide a number who can help. As I do not think they have this info in their company policy.
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