Springfield resident receives $300,000 in unclaimed property

A resident of Springfield is benefiting from State Treasurer Clint Zweifel's efforts to return unclaimed property to its rightful owners.

The unnamed Springfieldian received $300,000 from a combination of 14 separate unclaimed accounts with securities being held in trust, according to Zweifel's office.

The major return was one of more than 77,000 accounts worth $28 million returned so far in fiscal 2010, which ends June 30. With nearly two months remaining, fiscal 2010 is already the second-largest on record for total money returned; in fiscal 2008, the state returned $34.5 million.

“I cannot say it enough: One in 10 Missourians is owed an average of $365, and that is significant to Missouri families," Zweifel said in a news release. "In these tough economic times it is imperative as many Missourians as possible get their money now."

There are more than 30 claims in excess of $100,000 waiting to be returned, the release said, though none are in southwest Missouri. The largest single account returned to an individual was $1.6 million returned to a St. Louis-area man in 2009.

Missouri residents can search for unclaimed property at www.showmemoney.com.