August 9, 2000

Found money revisited

I suspected one of my recent columns would get a lot of reaction. It did. Any time I can help folks locate some of their own money when they didn't know it existed, I guess I should expect some response. Sure enough I got it, via e mail, etc.

To answer the key question: To get into the Controller's website, use your search engine, input "California State Controller", then use the "Unclaimed Property" link. You will be prompted to put in a personal name and city, or a business name and city. I suggest you use as broad a brush as possible. If the person in question is named John Sebastian Smith of Pacifica, start with "Smith." When thousands of names pop up, narrow it to "J. Smith," then "John Smith". Then "John Smith, Pacifica." By the way, if the name you want is really Smith, don't bother with the first couple of steps. But if you're looking for Yannuzzi, then do it the way I suggested. Your goal is to find the money even if the bank or insurance company didn't know your full right name or what city you lived in when they turned the money over to the state, perhaps 25 years ago. For more information, call the Controller's 800 number, 1 800 992 4647. (It can't be used outside California.)

It's especially helpful to look for deceased relatives. Banks, insurance companies, HMO's, etc. rarely pursue heirs, but if your Aunt Mary, like my Aunt Mary, left behind $300 in stock dividends, isn't it better for you or her heirs to have it than the state?

People move. Their forwarding notices expire. Financial institutions can't find them. Bank of America made thousands of "settlements", $30 or $50 at a crack. They were probably made years after accounts had been closed out, and those entitled often didn't know they were owed money. Court settlements and insurance payments are among the more than two billion dollars being held by the controller. One person I checked is owed 33 cents. Another: $10,000. Yet another, $15,000. A number have been for over $1000.

Look up your favorite actor. I found Robert Alda and his son Anthony. I also found Leonard Nimoy, Harry Morgan and Levar Burton. Billionaire Larry Ellison is owed $35. Apple Computer couldn't find Steve Wozniak or Steve Jobs.

Several members of the Alioto family are owed, including the heirs of the former mayor, and his children.

Some Pacifica Realtors couldn't be found when the time came to pay them, even though I had no trouble finding them at their longtime addresses. Chuck Bublak, a likeable butcher who left Pacifica about a quarter century ago, is owed about 40 bucks. Chevron USA couldn't find the California Academy of Sciences to give them $50.

I found more than $1700 for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I found $600 for a local Pacifica voice-over expert. Fairmont Elementary School is owed $200 by the Times-Mirror Company, but it's a good example of the problem companies have paying their debts to the right folks, because there are four Fairmont Elementary Schools in California, including the one in Yorba Linda.

Fairmont Tire has a claim on $1515, but just where is Fairmont Tire? It's not in Pacifica.

Eurekabank couldn't find First National Bank. Which of the numerous First National Banks in California would you send the check to? John M. Hall of Pacifica is owed several hundred dollars, but at best he's got an unlisted phone. At worst, he's moved or died.

Both William Hewlett and David Packard are on the list, but it's unlikely their families will starve without the amounts they're owed.

A dear friend from Fairway Park who died several years ago is owed $3300. She had no children. I don't know where to start looking for her heirs. I can't even find the San Francisco lawyer who might know the answer.

The Hong Kong Cafe, formerly at 455 Oceana Blvd., is owed $157. How do the former owners learn they have money coming? Evelyn Jacobs of 333 Banyan is owed $64. Only problem! There is no 333 Banyan. A restaurant worker owed for wages, I'm sure she earned the money.

Evelyn Kudrovzeff is owed $97. Is it worth it for her heirs to pursue it? I don't know. Something called the American Polynesian CA Corp. is owed $83. Several members of Pacifica's Bier family are owed. The Daly City Scavenger Company is owed over $1700. The Oceana Class of 1976 reunion committee is owed $253.

Paul Azevedo's e mail address is reactor@wenet.net. If you find money because of this column,he would appreciate hearing from you.