At a press conference in Columbus, David Goodman, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, and Yaw Obeng, Superintendent of Unclaimed Funds, warn Ohioans about an internet company that is apparently charging Ohioans for unclaimed funds searches and issuing fraudulent claim forms. The Division has issued a cease and desist order against Unclaimed Money, LLC doing business as UnclaimedMoneydb.com. The Division ordered the company to stop charging for and producing phony and misleading unclaimed funds forms.

Here's how the scheme works: You pay a "membership" fee to join the site and search for and receive unclaimed funds. People received a claim form that looked like it was from the state of Ohio. When they signed it and mailed it to the Division, staff recognized the phony forms and that the property ID# belonged to someone else.

There are two official unclaimed funds sites that Ohioans need to know. To search for Ohio unclaimed funds, go to the Ohio Division of Unclaimed Funds website at www.unclaimedfundstreasurehunt.ohio.gov
Accounts can also be searched from 36 other states on the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators endorsed website at www.missingmoney.com
These are free, safe and official sites to search for and claim unclaimed funds. If an Ohioan should forget these websites and use a search engine, they should be certain to click on the official website of the Ohio Division of Unclaimed Funds.

If an Ohioan is aware of apparent illegal activity, they should report it to the Division of Unclaimed Funds at unfd.claims@com.state.oh.us or by calling toll free (877) 644-6823.