WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF THE UNCLAIMED FUNDS HELD BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR?
Funds held in the County Unclaimed Funds account include:
Vendor Payments
Child Support Payments
Lost Heir Accounts
Restitution Payments
Jury/Witness Fees
NOTE: The Carroll County Auditor’s Office does not hold funds from companies in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Unclaimed Funds holds these types of funds.
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF PROOF OF CLAIM?
All claims must have a clear photocopy of the owner’s Social Security card, AND driver’s license or State ID. Submit the original check(s) IF AVAILABLE. If the owner is a business, a copy of a document showing the company name and Tax ID is required along with documentation proving the individual signing the form is an authorized agent of said business.
IF I AM NOT THE OWNER, OR THE OWNER IS DECEASED, HOW DO I PROVE THE CLAIM?
First, you must show that the account belonged to the owner (see #2 proof of claim). Second, you must prove that you are the rightful recipient of the funds, and you are legally entitled to claim these funds for the owner. If the owner is incapacitated, proper documentation from the Court to show a guardianship, custodial, or Power of Attorney relationship, and a court order, or permission from the guardian or custodian is required.
If the owner is deceased, a copy of the death certificate and letter of authority naming the executor of the estate is required. We will not pay a claim based solely upon a will or death certificate. If a paid, professional finder is claiming the funds, a Power of Attorney signed by the executor is also required.
NOTE: The Carroll County Auditor’s Office reserves the right to directly contact the owner to confirm a Power of Attorney.
WILL I BE ENTITLED TO INTEREST?
No interest is paid on any account.
WILL I BE CHARGED A FEE?
The Carroll County Auditor’s Office does not charge a fee to process a claim. If you have contracted with a professional finder refer to your contract for information about their fees and charges.
WHERE CAN I FIND A NOTARY?
A Notary Public can be found at your local bank, city and county offices, police and sheriff departments, and most attorneys’ offices.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY FUNDS?
Once the claim form is received in our office, processing usually takes 30 business days. During this time, your claim will be referred to the originating agency for payment authorization. Sometimes the originating agency requires additional information to be obtained from the claimant, such as previous addresses of the owner.
WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL FINDER?
A professional finder is someone who is in the business of trying to find the owners of Unclaimed Funds. You do not have to use a finder to file a claim.
IF I USE A PROFESSIONAL FINDER TO CLAIM MY FUNDS, WHERE WILL THE CHECK BE MAILED?
The check is issued in the names of both the professional finder and the owner of the funds. The check is then mailed to the professional finder. The Carroll County Auditor’s Office does not hire professional finders or any other third party to help locate the owner of Unclaimed Funds.
§ 9.39 Liability for public moneys received; unclaimed funds.
Text of Statute
All public officials are liable for all public money received or collected by them or by their subordinates under color of office. All money received or collected by a public official under color of office and not otherwise paid out according to law shall be paid into the treasury of the public office with which he is connected to the credit of a trust fund and shall be retained there until claimed by its lawful owner. If not claimed within a period of five years, the money shall revert to the general fund of the public office.
Effective 7-1-85.
If you have any questions about County Unclaimed Funds or how to make a claim, you may contact the Auditor’s Office at 330-627-5122 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The State of Ohio also has a listing of unclaimed funds that you can search by going to http://www.com.ohio.gov/unfd/TreasureHunt.aspx.
Please contact Common Pleas Court concerning excess money from
forfeited land sales.