Unclaimed money: Could any of the $66,270 be yours? Here's how to claim it

Gianna Montesano, Treasure Coast Newspapers

St. Lucie County has $66,270 in unclaimed checks and some of that money could be yours.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller website lists 123 people who are entitled to restitution payments and bonds. Unclaimed checks range from $14 to $4,614.

"We want to ensure that every citizen has an opportunity to claim what is rightfully theirs," Clerk and Comptroller Michelle R. Miller stated in a news release Monday. "By taking a few moments to visit our website, individuals can discover funds that could potentially make a difference in their lives."

Unclaimed money: You might have unclaimed accounts. Here's how to find them

How to check if you're eligible for unclaimed checks in St. Lucie County

  • Check online: Go to the St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller website and click into the database.

  • Claim your money: If your name appears on the list, you must print out, complete and notarize the Unclaimed Monies Affidavit.

  • Mail the affidavit: You must mail the notarized form, a valid W-9 (for all individuals claiming interest or businesses) and a valid photo identification with address (for individuals) to the St. Lucie County Clerk and Comptroller, Attn: Clerk Finance, P.O. Box 700, Fort Pierce, FL 34954. All claim forms must be postmarked on or before Aug. 31 and claim checks will be mailed to recipients.

Where does unclaimed funds money come from?

Unclaimed funds usually come from cash bonds deposited in various criminal cases, according to clerk spokesperson Michael Green. When a defendant posts a cash bond, it is held to ensure the defendant's future court appearances.

The bond will be refunded to the person who posted it if the defendant complies with all court appearances and their case is resolved. However, it becomes unclaimed if the person does not claim it after the case.

Gianna Montesano is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at gianna.montesano@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1429, or follow her on X @gonthescene.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: How to claim unclaimed money from cash bonds in St. Lucie County

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