Have you forgotten a fortune? B.C. team wants to return millions to rightful owners
Global News
BC Unclaimed works reunite British Columbians with funds abandoned or forgotten in old bank accounts, with government departments or in the form of unclaimed court payments.
In an era inundated with scams involving mysterious princes or easy fortunes — if you just hand over a few bucks in advance — you’re probably right to be wary of anyone offering free money.
But Sherry MacLennan and Lindsey Moore really might have some cash for you, British Columbians. Maybe even millions.
The pair are part of a team of six running BC Unclaimed, recently rebranded from the BC Unclaimed Property Society.
Over the last 20 years, the organization has operated under a government mandate to reunite British Columbians with funds abandoned or forgotten in old bank accounts, with government departments or in the form of unclaimed court payments.
One of the challenges they face is skepticism that what they offer is real.
While the average payout is usually a few hundred dollars, later this month the society expects to finish the paperwork and hand over a record $1.98 million that the claimant did not previously know they owned.
“Every year we advertise, trying to get our name out there so that people know that this service does exist in British Columbia, and that our letters (are) not just some sort of phishing scam trying to get your identification,” said Moore, a co-ordinator with the society.
“We really do hold your money if you’ve got a letter from us.”