Mississippi returns $1.3 million in unclaimed money; McRae urges residents cash checks

JACKSON, Miss. — Nearly 4,700 Mississippians will soon receive an unexpected check from the state, as the Treasury Department returns $1.3 million in unclaimed money.

State Treasurer David McRae announced the funds are being distributed through the department’s “Money Match” program. The initiative proactively cross-references state records to return uncashed state-issued checks, such as tax returns or old paychecks, to their rightful owners.

McRae’s office noted this is the second large-scale, proactive match conducted by the state.

Officials are urging all recipients to cash the checks immediately upon receipt.

“Unclaimed money belongs to you, not the state,” McRae said in a statement. “So please, cash the check immediately… don’t let the check expire or you could lose access to these funds.”

While this batch of checks is being mailed automatically, the Treasurer’s Office encourages all residents to search the state’s comprehensive unclaimed property database.

Mississippians can search for their name, or the names of family members and businesses, by visiting treasury.ms.gov/search. For assistance, the Unclaimed Money Division can be contacted at (601) 359-3600.