ICYMI: Does Fairfax County Owe You Money?

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Do you have unclaimed money out there from Fairfax County? The County's Department of Finance (DOF) works to return unclaimed money to rightful owners but sometimes has trouble finding them. The unclaimed money may be the result of a check being returned to the county as undeliverable or a check that has not been cashed after a certain period.

The total amount submitted this year, which includes the County and Fairfax County Public Schools, was $254,444.80, according to County spokesman Tony Castrilli.

The county offers a free service to help bring residents and their money back together.

The DOF is required to exercise "due diligence" in attempting to locate the rightful owner of property. First, the DOF mails a first-class letter to the owner's last known address informing them of the dormant status of the property. If DOF is unsuccessful in finding the rightful owner, a report, along with the money, is submitted to the State of the owner's last known address.

Visit the County Web site here where you can find out if money is owed to you.

How often is the county required to report and remit unclaimed money?
State law requires most persons, including the County, holding unclaimed money to file a report of it and remit money to the State prior to it's annual specified due date. The report date for the Commonwealth of Virginia is November 1 and it consists of those monies that are unclaimed as of June 30 immediately preceding the report year. Va Code Section 55-210.12(D).

Why does the county request my Social Security number?
Disclosure of your Social Security Number (SSN) will expedite the evaluation of your claim. Your SSN will be used only for that purpose and disclosure is voluntary. If you refuse to disclose your SSN, the County will not deny your claim as a result. In the event that you refuse to disclose your SSN, the County reserves the right to request additional information to evaluate your claim.

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