OWN UP TO A WINDFALL
You could have money waiting to be claimed
WITH the pandemic hopefully in the rearview mirror and new opportunities to spend money, wouldn’t a little extra cash be nice? It might not be quite as good as finding that old thumb drive with a few G’s in Bitcoin on it, but searching New York State’s unclaimed funds Web site (OSC.State.NY.us/ unclaimed-funds) could deliver a windfall.
Many abandoned bank accounts and utility credits are taken over by the state until the rightful owner claims them. Searching New York State’s database of unclaimed funds is easy, and once you’ve proved who you are, its simple to reclaim your money.
“Each day we return over $1.5 million to individuals, companies, nonprofit organizations and municipalities,” said state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. “With more than 44 million accounts currently unclaimed, New Yorkers should check and see if they, any of their friends or relatives, or groups and organizations they’re affiliated with, have unclaimed money with us. We’ve simplified the online process and can process them in as little as two weeks.”
The state doesn’t do Venmo yet, but you can get payment in the form of a Mastercard-branded prepaid debit card.
It’s not just regular people who forget about their money. Some big names have successfully reclaimed money over the years, although the State Comptroller’s office can’t say how much they got (and, the only way to make an official claim, and find out the amount, is to enter your social security number).
Names like coach-announcer Dick Vitale. As does Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who is wanted by VF Services for some outstanding checks issued to vendors reported in 2019. Mickey Mantle has a check coming from UMG Recordings, under the address Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY. It’s “miscellaneous property (cash)” and it’s been there since 2007. Since he died in 1995, the person appointed by the court to handle the estate can claim the funds.
Singer, guitarist and proud dad Lenny Kravitz also has outstanding checks reported by Warner Music Group.
News man Dan Rather, who has stopped caring what people think of him on Twitter, has 10 entries of funds owed to him, mostly from media companies such as NBC. Speaking of which, is it safe to return to Rock Center yet? Matt Lauer, the 64-year-old former morning TV host, is owed payroll from 2021 by NBCUniversal Media. We’re not sure why Val Kilmer is owed money by Euromarket Designs Inc. of 301 W. 57th St., the holding company of Crate & Barrel. Maybe the man who channeled Jim Morrison returned some wicker balls and a scented candle and never got his refund? In any case, Val, Euromarket has some credit for you.
Ivanka Trump, whose businesses reported hundreds of millions of dollars of income while she was senior adviser to the president of the United States (her dad), has several entries under the famous 502 Park Ave. address, and one under the Trump Organization. The money is waiting for her from brands such as Neiman Marcus, Baccarat, Getty Images, NBC, Tiffany & Co. and Google. Just Google “unclaimed funds NY,” Ivanka! Stepmum Melania Trump also has forgotten funds coming from Bergdorf Goodman, Richemont North America and Christian Dior. Returns after a girls’ shopping trip? There are quite a few entries for Jared Kushner, the same name as the trusted son-in-law of and former advisor to former the former prez, namechecking Yum! Brands and PepsiCo as well as various banks.
Could the Mad Dog of sports Chris Russo be up for a rebate? A man by that name, living in Garnerville, NY, has some outstanding checks from SiriusXM Holdings from 2017.
Super sleuth journalist Ronan Farrow, son of Mia, has some cash owed him by MetaBank, if this is indeed the same Ronan Farrow who was all over Curbed when he bought into 225 W. 60th St. MetaBank has some unredeemed gift certificates for him.
There are a few Willard Smith names — as in Best Actor Oscar winner Will Smith — some with upstate and Pennsylvania addresses. There are also Chris J. Rock names owed money in Plattsburgh and Schenectady, NY, but even the NYC address, on Cabrini Boulevard in Hudson Heights, doesn’t have the authentic ring of rock steady comedian Chris Rock about it. We’ll pass.
Singer Jessica Simpson has some wages coming to her care of Top 40 Entertainment of West 56th Street, and some more from “GEP ATL LLC, to Sweet Kisses, Inc., Payee Jessica Simpson.” The other entry for her is from the New York Department of Labor in Troy. Worth a click, Jess.
Talking of Albany-adjacent Manhattanites, remember Gov. Andrew Cuomo? There’s some money in his name at an address used by his daughter, Cara, in Mount Kisco. Former governor, it’s a refund from United Healthcare Services Inc.