Montco man receives unexpected unclaimed property worth $1.7 million

SANATOGA A Montgomery County man recovered $1.7 million in property that he didn't know he had after receiving a notice from State Rep. Mark Painter's office.

The man did not want to be identified because of the size of the claim, Painter's office said Wednesday.

Painter (D., Montgomery) has helped more than 600 constituents recover money that had been in the state Treasurer's Bureau of Unclaimed Property. Some had closed bank accounts without withdrawing all the money. Others had uncashed checks, expired gift cards, or unclaimed life insurance benefits.

The $1.7 million was the largest claim by any individual in the state treasurer's database, Painter's office said.

"If you receive these forms from our office, they are legitimate, and you should complete the forms and mail them back or stop by our office," Painter said, adding that his staff would help process the paperwork and notarize the forms for free.

- Jessica Parks