Sherlock Franchot Is On The Hunt For Md. Owners Of Unclaimed Funds

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)—The state comptroller's office is opening a treasure chest and inviting Marylanders to dig in.

Political reporter Pat Warren explains hundreds of millions of dollars in unclaimed funds are just waiting for owners to find them.

The search is on to find the owners of nearly a billion dollars in unclaimed funds.

"We can't keep track of it all," one woman said.

That's why Sherlock Franchot wants to help you hunt it down.

"Anyone that can show up and say 'Hey, that was our father or our grandfather or somehow that was our property,' we're obligated to return it no matter how far in the future it is," Franchot said.

"Sherlock Franchot. Your lost property and he are bound together on a journey that will twist the very fabric of your finances," a YouTube video says.

A YouTube video draws attention to nearly a million accounts with $980 million in unclaimed bank accounts, security boxes and insurance policies.

"It's elementary, my dear Marylanders," the YouTube video says. "1. Go to marylandtaxes.com. 2. Enter your name. 3. Claim your property."

Or you can check the paper.

"But you know what, my name's not in here," one woman said after checking the paper.

"Nope, you don't have any money, just like you thought," another woman said.

"Probably stand a better chance of winning the lottery," a man said.

But this way you don't have to buy a ticket, just check the website.

"Even if it's just $100, which it might be for a health payment or something, $100 is $100," Franchot said.

Whatever it is, the state wants you to have it.

The complete list of accounts is on the website. You can find the most recently added on an insert in Sunday's Baltimore Sun.

Land and real estate are not included in unclaimed funds.

Other Local News: