New Jersey

NJ has over $6 billion in unclaimed assets. Could you be owed some? Find out here

Published

6 months ago

July 23, 2024

Press Room

NJ has over billion in unclaimed assets. Could you be owed some? Find out here

Moved a ton over the years or forgot about that old bank account or safe deposit box you never closed out?

While it’s smart to be on high alert for scams these days, it’s no hoax that legitimate, cold hard cash may be yours, just waiting to be claimed — you just have to know where to look.

Unclaimed cash or assets just waiting for their rightful owners total about $6.3 billion in the Garden State, according to the latest figures from the New Jersey Unclaimed Property Administration (NJUPA). Last year, residents put back in their pockets a record of nearly $203 million, a result of 73,686 claims filed.

Monies owed to or owned by somebody in New Jersey that never make it into the hands of its true owner are held by the NJUPA indefinitely or until a valid claim is processed.

So what is considered an unclaimed asset, and how do you know if you are owed any? The process is simple through the state’s user-friendly online tool at unclaimedfunds.nj.gov, so give it a look. You never know, you could hit the jackpot.

What are unclaimed assets?

The NJUPA, which falls under the umbrella of the New Jersey Treasury Department, refers to unclaimed property as tangible and intangible, such as:

Uncashed checks
Stocks and bonds
Safe deposit box contents
Abandoned bank accounts
Unclaimed wages or commissions
Unpaid life insurance benefits
Utility deposits
Unused rebate cards
Trust distributions
Securities and trust holdings
Customer overpayments
Traveler’s checks

How do I check for unclaimed assets?

New Jersey residents can search for unclaimed assets through the NJUPA website and then use the free search tool — https://www.nj.gov/treasury/unclaimed-property — to input your name. Individuals are encouraged to also search using a maiden name and a city, ZIP code, and if available, a property ID. You can also search the name of a business or nonprofit, and it might be worth checking alternate spelling of your name

Did you have a relative who died? There may be some unclaimed assets out there, too.

Have you ever resided or worked/owned a business out of state ? The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, which says that one in seven people in the nation has unclaimed property, operates a free nationwide search database to check for missing funds in all 50 states.

Claiming your funds

Filing a claim through the NJUPA is the fastest way to get your claim processed. After a claim is submitted, the UPA will provide you details of the properly you are claiming. To help support your claim, make sure you prepare necessary documentation, such as proof of identity and ownership, which will need to be uploaded online to show ownership.

The NJUPA will process and verify all information, and if you are advised nothing further is needed, it’ll just be a waiting game. You can check the status of your claim as you await your reunion with your missing money.

And as a reminder, searching for and claiming assets owed to you is completely free. So consider it a red flag when a company solicits offers to do the legwork for you, and avoid texts or other messages asking you to click a link to claim monies you are allegedly owed. These could all lead to scammers looking to steal your personal information.

Have more questions or comments? The NJUPA website has answers to a lot of frequently asked questions and the agency is hosting several outreach events through the end of the year.

Happy treasure hunting!

Email: lcomstock@njherald.com; Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH or on Facebook.

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New Jersey

Surprising reason why this Democrat is attending Trump’s inauguration

Published

4 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Surprising reason why this Democrat is attending Trump’s inauguration

At least one big-name New Jersey Democrat will travel to D.C. for Donald Trump’s inauguration Monday.

Gov. Phil Murphy said he will be on hand to watch Trump take the oath of office a second time. That‘s even as several other top members of his party from across the country are skipping the event.

Murphy this week was asked to explain his decision compared to Democrats who feel their attendance would validate the Republican former and future president over Jan. 6 and other polarizing views and policies.

The governor said what convinced him to go was Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2020. Murphy said he and First Lady Tammy Murphy went and were surprised to see who was among the crowd.

“It was socially distanced, so it was not like your normal tableau,” Murphy told reporters at the Statehouse in Trenton on Monday. “We were struck by the amount of Republican governors who showed up. And not just by how many but who they were. Kristi Noem (of South Dakota), Doug Burgum (of North Dakota), Doug Ducey (of Arizona), Asa Hutchison (of Arkansas).

“It’s the right thing to do no matter all of the challenges and issues with Trump … and frankly, the big one to me is I just can’t believe the American people have given him a pass on denying that he lost four years ago. Still, I believe with all my heart it is still the right thing to do for the country and for the office.”

Democrats have cited numerous reasons for ditching Trump’s swearing-in Monday, whether it being the lingering uneasiness of Jan. 6, because the event is being held on Martin Luther King Day, or out of fear for their safety. Others have not said why they won’t be there.

The inauguration, usually held outside the U.S. Capitol, will instead be inside Monday because of freezing temperatures.

Murphy and Trump have long had a kind of love-hate relationship. The governor has repeatedly criticized Trump and fought his policies on immigration, guns, and taxes in court.

Still, the two collaborated on COVID-19 response and the Gateway Tunnel project during Trump’s first term. Murphy also visited Trump at his Bedminster golf club last summer after the assassination attempt on the ex-president. Then, after Trump won back the White House in November — and performed better than expected in blue New Jersey — Murphy said he got a phone call from Trump.

Murphy notes by the time he leaves office next January, he is the Democratic governor who will have served the longest under a Trump presidency, coming into office a year into Trump’s first term and exiting a year into his second.

That, Murphy argues, gives him a good perspective on how to handle Trump, even as Democrat sound alarms over what may happen to undocumented immigrants and reproductive rights under his new tenure. The governor has said he will “fight like hell” against Trump on some issues and try to find “common ground” on others.

That’s similar to stances that other Democratic governors have taken on Trump, who is famous for enjoying praise as much as he enjoys dishing out insults.

“I will never back away from partnering with the Trump administration where our priorities align,” Murphy said Tuesday during his latest State of the State address. “But just as importantly, I will never back down from defending our New Jersey values — if and when they are tested.”

To that end, Murphy said during the speech New Jersey will join other blue states in stockpiling a supply of medication used in abortions.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @johnsb01.

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New Jersey

New Jersey Titans pull ahead in the third to defeat Maryland Black Bears – The Rink Live

Published

12 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

The New Jersey Titans were victorious against the Maryland Black Bears on Friday, Jan. 16, 2025 at Middletown Ice World Arena.

After two periods, the teams were tied at 0, but New Jersey pulled away in the third, winning the game 2-0.

The Titans first took the lead early in the third period, with a goal from Owen Leahy, assisted by

James Schneid

and

Blake Jones

The Titans increased the lead to 2-0 with 52 seconds remaining of the third after a goal from James Schneid, assisted by

Nikita Meshcheryakov

and

Ryan Friedman

Next up:

The teams play again on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 at 6 p.m. CST at Middletown Ice World Arena.

New Jersey

Fmr. South Jersey camp director accused of sex assault released pending trial

Published

20 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

Fmr. South Jersey camp director accused of sex assault released pending trial

Friday, January 17, 2025 10:53PM

Fmr. camp director accused of sex assault released pending trial

A former South Jersey camp director accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy is out of jail.

DEPTFORD TWP., N.J. (WPVI) — A former South Jersey camp director accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy is out of jail.

Forty-six-year-old Tara Carr, of Woodstown, is accused of assaulting the 14-year-old four times last year and sending him inappropriate videos and photos.