Treasurer Burke’s Office to Offer Unclaimed Funds Search at Medina County Fair 

MEDINA, OHIO - JULY 25, 2016 — ​Each year 200,000 Ohioans lose track of some of their money, which eventually ends up with The Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Unclaimed Funds, according to Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel’s website. These “unclaimed funds” are often balances from forgotten bank accounts or monies that simply can’t be found in financial records. Medina County Treasurer John Burke invites residents to visit his booth at the Medina County Fair where staff members will provide secure online searches of State unclaimed fund records to help residents see if there are monies due them.
 
Unclaimed funds are monies that have been inactive for at least five years, mostly from savings, checking accounts, utility deposits, stock dividends and safe deposit contents. If monies owed you are found, a staff member will print the form you need to get the claim process started. All you have to do is sign it, gather the necessary information and mail your papers to the state. The Treasurer’s booth will be open in the Community Building every day of the fair from 11am to 8pm.
 
“This is a free service,” said Treasurer Burke, “and my staff enjoys helping people find what can sometimes be a fairly large amount of money. Last year, we found over $8,000 for one lucky person.”
 
The Ohio Department of Commerce publishes an annual list of individuals who have missing money valued at $50 or more, which the State has received in the past year. At last year’s fair 273 claims were found totaling $73,139.43. According to the State, there is more than $7 million which rightfully belongs to Medina County residents.
 
“Residents need to be careful of companies or individuals that may offer to help you find your unclaimed funds for a fee or percentage,” cautions Treasurer Burke, “This a common scam; you do not need to pay to get your money back or to have someone check with the State of Ohio. My staff will assist you for free or show you how to do it yourself.”
 
Brochures about this year’s Fix-It Fund loan program will also be available at the Treasurer’s booth. Treasurer Burke reminds everyone that these low fixed interest rate home improvement loans from the Fix-It Fund Program are currently available through Westfield Bank at a rate, which is up to 2% below the bank’s current rate. Since its inception in 2002, the county-sponsored program has been helpful to over 850 homeowners in Medina County, providing over $12.5 million dollars in loans. A Brunswick resident who took advantage of the program last year wrote, “I am so pleased with how the Fix-It Fund program has worked for me. I have my loan and just got my windows replaced. I feel like I am in a brand new house. I am so excited about this program.” A Wadsworth couple who used their Fix-It Fund loan for a new driveway, roof, landscaping, front stoop and new windows “liked the flexibility of choosing [their] own contractors and scheduling the work at times that were convenient­.” They also appreciated the “excellent interest rate” and five-year payment plan.
 
For more information, call 330.725.9199 or visit medinacountytreasurer.com. The Treasurer’s office is located on the first floor of the County Administration Building, 144 North Broadway in Medina and is open weekdays from 8am to 4:30pm.