The State Revenue Office (SRO) is holding $111 million in unclaimed money that belongs to people of all ages from across the state, with the City of Casey ranking in the top 10 of Melbourne local government areas for unclaimed cash.
Thousands of Victorians are sitting on a surprise windfall, with the Victorian Government calling on people to check if they can claim a share of millions of dollars in unclaimed cash.
A Hampton Park resident can claim $67,026 – the largest single entitlement in Casey.
In total there are more than 740,000 entitlements waiting to be claimed with an overall value of $3,123,299.
Assistant treasurer Danny Pearson encouraged all Victorians, businesses and community groups to visit the SRO and search for any amount recorded under their name.
“All you need are a few personal details and if we’re holding unclaimed money in your name, you’ll know within seconds,” Mr Pearson said.
“If you find an unexpected windfall, just follow the prompts to start the recovery process.”
In the past five years, there have been more than 60,000 successful claims worth almost $20 million from sources including electricity, gas and water companies, local councils, real estate agents, insurance companies and lotto tickets.
The SRO holds records of money that remain unclaimed after 12 months – with the minimum set at $20 – from sources including share dividends, salaries and wages, rents and bonds, debentures and interest, and proceeds from sales.
The City of Melbourne is the council area with the most potential claims – 57,000 totalling $15.2 million at an average of $266 – followed by Monash ($7 million), Boroondara ($6.7 million) and Whitehorse ($4.8 million).
To claim these winnings, claimants must supply the original ticket.
The highest unclaimed gaming ticket is $2,136,327 from Tattersalls – received in March 2016.
Some $860,000 in lottery winnings sitting with the SRO were eventually claimed by the owners of the tickets last year, while tickets worth $100,000 and $73,190 were among those notified by gaming companies as being unclaimed.
To claim, visit sro.vic.gov.au/unclaimedmoney and submit a personal or company name and the address that the lodging organisation would have had on file.
