By 1812Blockhouse
Every November, Ohio faces Michigan in football. This year, Richland County gets to help Ohio win before kickoff even happens. The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Unclaimed Funds is launching a challenge called “Find Forgotten Funds: The Rivalry Continues.” From November 1 through November 30, Ohio and Michigan will track how many people search their names for unclaimed money on their state websites. The state with the most completed searches takes the win.
Richland County has an advantage. This is Buckeye country. We are home to The Ohio State University at Mansfield, and so supporting the Buckeyes is second nature here. Now residents can channel that loyalty into something that might put money back in their pockets.
Why Richland County Could Make a Difference
With Mansfield, Ontario, Shelby, Lexington, and Bellville all seeing steady movement of people and businesses, there are plenty of chances for money to get misplaced. Unclaimed funds usually come from everyday situations:
- Closed bank accounts
- Deposits on utilities or rentals
- Uncashed paychecks from old jobs
- Checks sent to previous addresses after a move
When that happens, the money is held by the state until someone searches for it. A quick online check is often all it takes.
“This is money that already belongs to Ohioans,” said Susie Wagner of the Ohio Division of Unclaimed Funds. “We want to reconnect them with it.”
How to Take Part
Go to unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov
- Type your name into the search bar
- Look through the results
If something pops up, you can file a claim right on the site. It is free, and you do not need to create an account. Searches for friends and family count too, so feel free to plug in the names of siblings, parents, or even that cousin who still hasn’t changed his address from college.
Why It Makes Sense Here
With students coming and going at OSU Mansfield, part-time jobs shifting at businesses across Ontario and Mansfield, and people moving into new neighborhoods, checks and refunds can easily fall through the cracks. This area sees:
- Seasonal workers at Snow Trails
- College students who forget about old paychecks
- Families opening and closing utility accounts during a move
All of those situations can lead to unclaimed funds.
The Scoreboard
Ohio and Michigan will count completed searches from November 1 through November 30. The winner will be announced the week of December 1.
In Wagner’s words: “Every search increases the chance of getting money back into the hands of the people who earned it.”
How Richland County Can Help Ohio Win
Search your name today. Then ask someone else to try. Every search counts toward Ohio’s total.
Start your search at unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov.
