FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dozens of County Residents Find Money at The Frederick Fair

Comptroller's Staff Reunites Fairgoers with More Than $21,000 in Lost Money

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 22, 2008) - Staff of Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot's unclaimed property unit visited the Great Frederick County Fair, reuniting 55 people with more than $21,000 in unclaimed funds. One lucky fairgoer found $6,497.

As part of a statewide initiative to help reunite Marylanders with money they are owed, nearly 700 fair attendees checked agency records to see if they had unclaimed property. Participants discovered $21,005 at the event. So far this year, the Comptroller's Office has reunited 724 Marylanders with $311,090 at county and state fairs.

"In these tough economic times, it is our duty and our pleasure to return unclaimed property to its rightful owners," said Comptroller Franchot. "Everyday we work vigorously to locate the owners of the unclaimed property and to make sure they get what they deserve. This is just one of the ways we strive to serve the people of Maryland in the most efficient and effective way possible."

Financial institutions, utilities, insurance companies and other corporations are required to report to the Comptroller any bank accounts, security deposits, wages, insurance benefits and contents of safe deposit boxes that have been unclaimed after three years. In addition to hosting a booth at the fair, the Comptroller searches for owners of unclaimed funds by advertising in local newspapers and matching files with IRS and the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles.

The Comptroller's unclaimed property staff next moves to the Calvert County Fair from September 24 to September 28, and will attend a few more county fairs and festivals through November.

The Comptroller encourages everyone to log onto our Web site, www.marylandtaxes.com, to search our records for unclaimed funds, or call the agency at 410-767-1700 in Central Maryland, or toll-free 1-800-782-7383 from elsewhere.

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Contact: Lisa Lester (410) 260-7210