Lodi man plays Santa with Wis. unclaimed cash
LODI, Wis. (AP) — A Columbia County man is playing Santa Claus by helping strangers connect with unclaimed property entitled them in the Wisconsin State Treasury.
WMTV in Madison reports that 72-year-old Jay Wells of Lodi retired in 2007 and soon found his wife Virginia telling him he needed a hobby so he’d watch less TV. One day he logged onto the State Treasury’s website to see if he had any unclaimed property.
He didn’t, but realized several friends had money coming their way.
Before long Wells was reaching out to people he didn’t even know. He located one woman who was due $3,000, and was so happy to hear from him she asked if she could hug him.
Says Wells: “I’d rather people have the money than the state of Wisconsin have it.”
Dec 27, 2010 at 2:32 p.m.
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I had a $400 unclaimed insurance payout for hail damage. The insurance company wrote the check out to me AND a body shop of THEIR choice and I thought the amount wasn't enough to cover the work and a decent paint job, especially since the body shop had a poor reputation. I threw the check out and decided to live with the few dents/dimples and figured the check would expire and the company would reabsorb the dollar amount. Apparently not. It eventually got turned over as a lump sum to the unclaimed division for the State of Kansas. I completed a few forms and a check for $400 showed up in my mail box written out directly to just me. Come to mama!
Dec 27, 2010 at 11:15 a.m.
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lovinit The money can be from taxes, child support, inheritage, just to name a few. Some of it is court ordered restitutions,and insurance claims. Though I have not recieved my restitution that I know it was paid I never do find it in the unclaimed property notices.
Dec 27, 2010 at 9:32 a.m.
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Why would you have unclaimed money?
Dec 27, 2010 at 7:47 a.m.
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I searched. Found something for my ex-sister-in-law, fiance's dad, and my dad. Nothin for me, though I promptly alerted all of my family members about THEIRS!
Dec 27, 2010 at 1:25 a.m.
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The State of Wisconsin responded by saying "Son of a..."
Dec 27, 2010 at 12:21 a.m.
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The unclaimed property data is here:
http://www.statetreasury.wisconsin.gov/s...
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The state generally receives this property when reasonable efforts by the holder (e.g. insurance company, municipal court, etc.) have failed. They publicize the list and make outreach efforts, but active detective work is cost-prohibitive (many of the amounts held are small). FAQ:
http://www.statetreasury.wisconsin.gov/f...
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The state recommends trying to avoid having unclaimed property in the first place. Update bank account or beneficiary information, use automatic withdrawal for safe deposit box fees, keep good records of your assets for your heirs, and so on.
Dec 26, 2010 at 11:14 p.m.
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im real glad these people are getting whats owed to them,when i lived out of state,my ex husband paid over 10,000 in child support payments,and when i tried to collect it,they said,that i couldnt have it because they didnt know where i was,at the time he was paying it,they knew exactly what state we lived in,lol,all that time,instead of me and my daughter getting the support payments,the state of wisconsin was keeping them,tidy little sum they collected,i wonder how many others theyve done this to?i hope everyone had a happy holiday:)
Dec 26, 2010 at 6:37 p.m.
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How true..........but if you don't pay your taxes they find you....
Dec 26, 2010 at 4:43 p.m.
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A retired citizen can locate these people but governmental agencies apparently cannot. Does it make you wonder if they even try to do so?
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