Brenda Mayrack
Appearances
Planet Money
Escheat show (Update)
It just it seems pretty arbitrary. It needs to be short enough. So that companies aren't actually losing track of people and then basically taking a windfall of that property or benefiting from that property over time. So it's trying to strike a balance.
Planet Money
Escheat show (Update)
I really can't respond to that. There is no penalty. The company has complied with the law. The state complies with its laws. If a person isn't exercising ownership over their account, they may have passed away. Then what happens? That's why states have unclaimed property laws.
Planet Money
Escheat show (Update)
We talked to the person who's in charge of that. I'm Brenda Mayrack. I am the Delaware status cheater and director of the Office of Unclaimed Property.
Planet Money
Escheat show (Update)
It is a fairly stable revenue source from year to year, and it has been. I wouldn't say we feel pressure. We really just want to make sure that the process is there.
Planet Money
Escheat show (Update)
Some people may be critical of that system, but the alternatives are that the bank or the company keeps the money.
Planet Money
Escheat show (Update)
I recommend to everyone that they should search at least once a year. I typically suggest that people search either on their birthday or when they file their income taxes or maybe at the first of the year.