Our Facebook page got nearly 7,000 hits after the first story ran, and we showed all those people how to find their money. More than 2 million dollars is already back in the hands of Sandy victims. We hope the more we show how easy it is to find funds, more people can reclaim the cash they can really use right now.
From rotting floors and no doors in the Rockaways to split concrete slabs in Suffolk.
Noreen Mulvanerty's home used to house 7 relatives including her grandson. Their street in East Rockaway still looks like a warzone and she's struggling.
"I have no walls, no bathroom, no kitchen," she said.
Maria Puglisi and her Dad Sam's home on the South Shore was uninhabitable after Sandy's surge almost took it into the Bay with her.
"We could use any fund we can get anything," Maria said.
Along with hundreds others, Maria messaged us on Facebook after seeing fellow storm victims celebrate their surprise after finding out about forgotten money.
The New York State Comptroller's office reunites lost money with its rightful owners. He had some great news for both families.
Noreen came to hear it in person. She had $440 in old store credit and dormant dividends to put toward repairs.
And even more money for Marie.
"We have found unclaimed funds in the amount of 962 dollars," he said.
Nearly a grand in an un-cashed unemployment check and two forgotten bank accounts!
Here is how you can find out if you have unclaimed money waiting for you:
1. NEVER pay to find unclaimed funds. NEVER. There are fee-based databases on the web. There is no reason to use them when you can easily do the same work on FREE online databases: NY: https://ouf.osc.state.ny.us/ouf/, NJ: http://www.unclaimedproperty.nj.gov/, Conn: http://www.ctbiglist.com/
2. Search your own name and, if applicable, search your maiden name(s).
3. Start the search by inputting your last name, with only your first initial. Your first name might spelled incorrectly or differently.
4. Search the database for relatives or friends, alive or dead.
5. Gather documentation (social security number(s) of the person, proof of former addresses, or copies of wills or trust documents).
6. If you've lived in other states, go on: www.unclaimed.org to find if you have money there.
7. Input and search businesses you or your family members may have been affiliated with.
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