HOUSTON -- The state of Texas has $950 million that it doesn't know what to do with. It's money that has been forgotten by Texans, News2Houston reported Friday.

The city of Houston has the most residents that are owed money -- 122,000 Houstonians are owed $90 million.

"That could be a utility deposit for example, a last paycheck someone forgot about. It could be an old savings account and old checking account," said Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander.

After three to five years, abandoned accounts have to be turned over to the comptroller's office, according to state law.

"We have reunited Texas with some $211 million in the last few years," Rylander said.

On Sunday, a list of names, each one owed a minimum of $100, will be published in newspapers.

"If you miss it on Sunday, you can still go to the Web site," Rylander said.

Money is not the only thing fogotten. Each year, banks send the contents of 11,000 to 12,000 safety deposit boxes to an office in Austin.

"They are required to send it to us along with information about the owner, their license number, address, Social Security, any info on file," said George Tamayo, manager of Texas Unclaimed Property Unit.

Workers inventory the items, and after one year, the abandoned items are put up for sale at an annual auction.

"We want Texans to get reunited with their dollars. Log onto the Web site. Look for not only your name, but maiden names, parents, grandparents, that's what it is all about," Rylander said.

The Internet database lists unclaimed property since 1982. The unclaimed property unit can search hard copies that date back to the early 60s.

Sunday's newspaper will only list names added within the past year.

Check The List

Anyone can search the database for free to see if they are on the list.

Visit www.window.state.tx.us/unclprop/search.html to find out if you have unclaimed property or money that belongs to you.

Call (800) 654-FIND (3463) to request a search by phone. There is a limit of three name searches for phone inquiries.

To request a search by mail, send inquiry to:

Comptroller of Public Accounts
Unclaimed Property Division
Research and Correspondence Section
Post Office Box 12019
Austin, Texas 78711-2019

E-mail inquiries can be made to unclaimed.property@cpa.state.tx.us.

If a claim is approved, the state deducts a handling fee from the amount. For claim payments of $100 to $5,000, the fee is 1 percent. For claims in excess of $5,000, the fee is 1.5 percent. Claims for less than $100 are not assessed a fee.

What Is Unclaimed Property?

Unclaimed Property is a financial asset that appears to have been abandoned by the owner for three years or more. Here is a list of examples.

• Uncashed dividend, payroll or cashier's checks
• Stocks, mutual fund accounts, bonds
• Utility deposits and other refunds
• Bank accounts and safe deposit box contents
• Insurance proceeds
• Mineral interest or royalty payments
• Court deposits, trust funds, escrow accounts

In 1961, the Texas Legislature passed the unclaimed property law, which requires financial institutions, businesses, and government entities to report to the state any personal property they are holding that is considered abandoned or unclaimed.

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is responsible for administering the Texas Unclaimed Property Program.

Property is turned over to the comptroller's office annually when the owner's whereabouts are unknown and the property has been inactive on the books of the reporting company between three and five years.

Since Texas never takes legal ownership of the property, there is no time limit for filing a claim.

Message from Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander

Dear Fellow Texan:

From a long-dormant bank account to a forgotten utility deposit or family heirloom in an abandoned safe deposit box, the state may be holding valuable property that belongs to you. If so, I want to return your property to you.

In today's mobile society, Texans can easily lose track of uncashed stock dividend checks, insurance proceeds, utility and rent deposits, and other assets that may escape attention.

As Texas Comptroller, I am responsible for collecting these abandoned assets. I am committed to returning them to their rightful owners.

More Information:

• Texas Unclaimed Property Web Site
• Search Unclaimed Property Database Online
• Contact The Unclaimed Property Division