Louisianians are owed more than $582 million in unclaimed property money, so the Department of Treasury will publish the names of those owed in newspapers across the state through Dec. 10.

"I encourage everybody to check the listings for your name and the names of your family members, friends and neighbors, too," said State Treasurer John Kennedy in a press release. "No matter how small the dollar amount, this is your money and we're working to get it back into your wallet where it belongs."

The monies published, however, will include only those at $50 and higher that were collected this year.

When businesses hold unclaimed funds for too long, they must turn that money over to the state. The funds come from "savings and checking accounts, uncashed payroll checks, CDs, stocks and dividends, insurance proceeds, oil and gas royalty payments, utility deposits and other funds," Kennedy said.

The Daily Advertiser and the Acadiana Gazette began publishing Lafayette Parish listings Nov. 17.

"Since the program began, we've returned over $306 million to over 374,000 Louisiana citizens," he added. "One in six individuals has unclaimed property, and the average refund is $300 to $400."

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