Columbus, Ohio – From July 24 to August 4, Ohioans will have a special chance to find whether they have unclaimed money waiting to be returned at the Ohio State Fair this year. Returning to the fair, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Unclaimed Funds will set up a booth in the busy center of the fairgrounds housed inside the Bricker Building.
For many, last year’s fair was a profitable occasion with over 1,000 guests claiming a total of $322,729.94 in forgotten funds. Among these lucky finders, one person came upon almost $50,000 and another reclaimed almost $28,000. The average claim was more over $300, which prompted curiosity about what the fair this year would reveal.
“The Ohio State Fair is our largest in-person outreach event and is something we look forward to each year,” Division Superintendent Akil Hardy said. “Last year, we were successful in helping Ohioans find more than $322,000, and this year, our team hopes to help fairgoers find even more missing money.”
Unclaimed funds typically come from a variety of sources such as inactive checking and savings accounts, uncashed cashier’s checks, forgotten utility deposits, and last paychecks. Usually covering three to five years, these funds are reported to the Division by companies and banks following a period of inactivity.
The division has around $4 billion in unclaimed money right now. Claiming these funds is easy and can be done whenever it is most convenient. Staff members at the Unclaimed Funds booth will help Ohioans through the three-step process: searching for money at unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov, obtaining necessary supporting documentation, and submitting their claim either online or by mail.
Apart from the unclaimed money display, the Department of Commerce’s “Commerce House” provides fair attendees with an opportunity to learn more about the several departments and initiatives covered by the Department. Highlights include the popular bottle lottery, a fire extinguisher simulator, a comprehensive homebuyer checklist, and other fun giveaways.
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This year’s fair gives Ohioans yet another opportunity to possibly walk away with more money in addition to the usual enjoyment and celebration. The 2024 Ohio State Fair promises to be an inspiring event in more ways than one, whether that means finding a significant forgotten cash or just appreciating the interactive exhibits.
