Unclaimed property scam appears in Delaware

State officials are warning residents to ignore the misleading unclaimed property postcards. 

 

The postcards, which are postmarked from Denver, are stamped with the words “Unclaimed Property Notification.” The cards instruct recipients to call a toll-free number and enter personal information to search for their unclaimed property.

Delaware State Escheator David Gregor warned residents not to fall for the scam. While the state has been more aggressive in trying to track down abandoned property funds owed to the state, finance leaders say they are not behind suspicious-looking postcards that have been sent to residents in several states.

“Delaware has not sent thse cards nor have they been sent on Delaware’s behalf,” Gregor said. “We would never ask an individual to provide personal information to a call-in number, and we would recommend anyone who receives these cards to remain cautious and to not respond in any way.”

The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators reports that the postcards have been sent to residents in a number of states. The postcards have been printed on a variety of colored cards including green, blue, yellow and orange.

In spite of fraudulent imitators, the state maintains an unclaimed property database on online at finance.delaware.gov. Residents can search the database for unclaimed property or call the Department of Finanice at 302-577-8220.