February turned into a surprise payday across Florida, as the state’s unclaimed property program set a monthly record by returning $88 million to residents and businesses. The Tampa–St. Petersburg area came out on top, with about $23.8 million flowing back into local hands, while Miami and Orlando also collected seven‑figure totals. Much of the money came from forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, old insurance proceeds and valuables pulled from abandoned safe‑deposit boxes.
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia touted the milestone in a statement, saying the Division of Unclaimed Property is “working tirelessly every day to return lost assets to their rightful owner.” A press release from MyFloridaCFO.com noted that the $88 million reflects funds returned during the month of February and confirmed that the program handles both intangible accounts and tangible goods recovered from safe‑deposit boxes.
Regional Numbers And Who Benefited
The Tampa–St. Petersburg region led the state’s February haul with roughly $23.8 million returned, according to local coverage of the announcement. Miami followed with about $18.8 million, and the Orlando area logged around $14.4 million in recovered funds. Other sizable payouts reached West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Fort Myers–Naples, Pensacola and Tallahassee, with Gainesville and Panama City each seeing more than $1 million in claims paid out, Tampa Free Press reported.
How To See If You’re Owed Money
Floridians can check for unclaimed accounts for free through the state’s online portal at FLTreasureHunt.gov, where you can search by name and start a claim directly on the site. The Division of Unclaimed Property also lists claimant services and contact options, including the email address [email protected], and posts step‑by‑step instructions and an FAQ outlining what documentation you will need.
Why Unclaimed Money Piles Up
Under Florida law, most intangible property is presumed unclaimed after five years, while some safe‑deposit box contents may be turned over after three years, as specified in Chapter 717 of the Florida Statutes. Once those dormancy periods pass, banks, insurers, utilities and other holders are required to remit dormant accounts to the state, feeding the unclaimed property pool. For a full legal breakdown, Chapter 717 is available through the Florida Senate.
Takeaway For Tampa Residents
With about $23.8 million returned to the Tampa area in just one month, locals might want to take a minute to run a name search. Claims filed through the state are free, and the agency warns consumers to be wary of paid “finder” services and phishing attempts that mimic official notices. The portal at FLTreasureHunt.gov and the CFO’s office at MyFloridaCFO.com outline how the process works and provide the full announcement on the record‑setting February payouts.
