(Staten Island)— On September 3rd , State Senator Diane J. Savino held an unclaimed funds forum for seniors at the New Lane Senior Citizen Center, in conjunction with the New York State Comptroller’s office.   The workshop, part of a series of forums throughout the district, features a representative of the Comptroller’s office, who assists constituents in finding if they are entitled to unclaimed funds. 

For consumer protection, the state requires banks, utilities, and other businesses to surrender inactive accounts to the Comptroller’s office, until the rightful owner claims it. 

The refund can be just a few dollars or amount to thousands that people did not know they had access to. For instance, at New Lane, more than six seniors discovered they had money owed to them.

“During these difficult economic times, everyone could use a little bit of help.  Some people forgot they left money in a neighborhood savings bank after moving, or they forgot to update their information on an investment account after taking a new job. That money is just waiting to be claimed,” Senator Savino said.

For more information on you can search unclaimed funds, call (800) 221-9311 or visit the Comptroller’s website at http://www.osc.state.ny.us .