Claim Missing Money With Found Money®

In this economic downturn many states are looking towards making their budget shortfalls by simply claiming unused gift cards. How much can they really make up with the unclaimed cards? Is it going to make such a big difference in their budget? Could the state’s time and resources be put to a better use? On the other side, one could argue that every penny counts.

South Carolina is leading the new frontier of collecting unused gift card credits. While their methods were slow at first, now the operation is expanding. Other states appear to be following this path. Texas, for example, wants to pass a bill that would allow the state to collect these unused gift cards even when they contain no expiration date.

Today, more then half of the states have adopted some form of collection of unused gift cards. With the rising budget deficits in most states, this trend of collecting abandoned cards is expected to continue. New York facing a mounting debt of more than $7.4 billion dollars collected a mere $9.6 million in 2008 according to Wall Street Journal. Seems like a drop in the bucket? But the same laws are allowing states to “take” unclaimed property for the purpose of the State’s spending. New York State has collected $691 million dollars in this manner. This money should have been returned to their rightful owners who in turn would stimulate the economy. The extra economic growth would provide more revenue for the state and so there would be no need to pillage the abandoned properties.

The NRF has released top tips for buying gift cards http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&op=viewlive&sp_id=593
1. Know the difference between gift card policies from retailers and banks
none of the gift cards from the nation’s 25 largest retailers have expiration dates and 84% have no fees
2. Buy gift cards from reputable retailers.
3. Spend your gift card, don’t save it
4. Personalize your gift card
5. Keep your receipt

To claim your property visit www.foundmoney.com and don’t let the state take your money!