Miami Kicks Off the 2024 Holiday Money Hunt
Miami, FL – The 2024 Holiday Money Hunt has been officially launched by Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis. This initiative aims to encourage residents and businesses across the state to investigate if they have unclaimed property stored in state records. Florida currently has an eye-catching $3 billion in unclaimed assets, waiting to be discovered.
What is the Holiday Money Hunt?
The Holiday Money Hunt is an effort to raise awareness about unclaimed property in Florida, particularly during the busy holiday season. “I’m thrilled to kick off the 2024 Holiday Money Hunt and raise awareness about unclaimed property in Florida,” Patronis stated at the launch. He emphasized that the holiday period is an ideal time for Floridians to potentially find unexpected cash that can enhance their festive celebrations.
How to Check for Unclaimed Property
Part of the campaign involves leveraging popular social media platforms like Facebook and X to share the message well into the early months of 2025. “Over the next two months, I’ll be working hard to spread the word about this incredible opportunity. Did you know that one in five Floridians has unclaimed property just waiting to be discovered? It only takes a few minutes to check—visit FLTreasureHunt.gov and see if some holiday cheer is waiting for you,” Patronis urged.
The Scope of Unclaimed Property in Florida
The Miami area holds a staggering $1 billion in unclaimed property, making it the largest region in the state for such assets. Other notable areas include Tampa-St. Petersburg, which has $666 million, and Orlando with an estimated $528 million. The full list of regions with unclaimed property includes:
- West Palm Beach: $382 million
- Jacksonville: $212 million
- Fort Myers-Naples: $177 million
- Pensacola: $75 million
- Tallahassee: $53 million
- Gainesville: $40 million
- Panama City: $40 million
Understanding Unclaimed Property
Unclaimed property refers to financial assets that have been inactive for a period, lost, or left abandoned by their owners. The most common types include dormant bank accounts, unclaimed insurance proceeds, stocks, dividends, uncashed checks, deposits, and credit balances among various other assets. Many individuals may not even realize they are eligible for these funds.
Looking Ahead
The state is actively promoting this initiative to alert residents about the potential for gaining access to unclaimed funds. Using the hashtag #FLHolidayMoneyHunt on social media, the Department of Financial Services is committed to making this information widely accessible to the public.
Conclusion
The launch of the Holiday Money Hunt is a timely reminder for Floridians to check their potential claims during the holiday season. With billions in unclaimed property, there is a strong chance that many could find unexpected financial benefits just in time for the festivities. Now is the moment for everyone to participate in an easy and intriguing quest that might bring extra cheer this holiday season.
