Among the items held by the Indiana unclaimed property division that are currently up for bids on eBay are these "red seal" $2 bills and a pocketwatch. Provided image
Hoosiers looking for a great deal on jewelry, collectible coins and similar valuable items might want to check out the eBay page of the Indiana attorney general's unclaimed property division.
The office, which usually works to reconnect Hoosiers with money from forgotten bank accounts, stock dividends, insurance proceeds, product refunds and rental deposits, has begun selling some of the physical property handed over from dormant safe deposit boxes to minimize storage and caretaking costs.
"By statute, we have the option of liquidating those items after three years," said Amy Hendrix, director of the unclaimed property division. "And eBay is certainly the most reasonable and sensible option."
"We started the eBay auctions this summer, and they have done very well so far. We've gotten favorable feedback."
The Indiana unclaimed property auctions can be found on eBay by visiting: ebay.com/usr/indianaunclaimed.
Items currently up for auction include several diamond rings, pearl necklaces, collectible coins and watches. As of Monday night, nearly all the bids were under $100.
"Each November, we receive a new batch of safe deposit boxes," said Valerie Jones, unclaimed property division project manager. "Items are then inventoried, appraised, and authenticated. Then we will be listing them on the eBay auction site."
Proceeds from the auction sales are held like all other cash- or check-based lots of unclaimed property, and available for redemption by the rightful owner for up to 25 years after being turned over to the custody of the unclaimed property division.
Hoosiers can search for unclaimed property online for free at indianaunclaimed.gov.
Unclaimed property listings are also periodically published in local newspapers and other outlets.
If the database shows money is owed to an individual or a business, a claim for the money can immediately be filed online. Previously submitted claims also can be tracked on the website.
Every week, the unclaimed property division returns, on average, nearly $1 million in forgotten funds to Hoosiers.
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