Some Find Unexpected Money At The Fair

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Considering the state of the economy, discovering money you didn't know you had could be very exciting.  The Oklahoma Treasurer's Unclaimed Property Fund has more than $260 million, and he's trying to find the owners at the Tulsa State Fair.

This is the fourth year Treasurer Scott Meacham has brought his unclaimed property road show to the Tulsa State Fair.

"We're holding 260 million dollars for 350 thousand Oklahomans so we've got a whole bunch of money we're trying to give away," said Treasurer Scott Meacham.

He estimates one in every 10 fair goers has unclaimed money they don't know about.

"We've found $100,000 for 150 Tulsans.  I think the highest was $15,000 we just found," said Treasurer Scott Meacham.

It was an unclaimed royalty check.  Of course, not everyone who checks is a winner.

The treasurer ends up with the money when businesses holding it lose track of the rightful owner.  It could be old bank accounts, stocks, old paychecks or even a forgotten utility deposit.

The claims process seems pretty simple.  At the fair, you can fill out a form and have the money mailed to you or you can do it online.

The treasurer's booth is located in the lower level of the QuikTrip Center and will be open the entire run of the fair.