Millions of dollars waiting to be claimed

There is $2 million waiting to be claimed in the Yarra Ranges. PICTURE: JOSHUA HOEHNE, UNSPLASH

One Olinda resident could be $23,000 richer if they claim their entitlements currently sitting in the The State Revenue Office (SRO).

Victorians have been encouraged to go online to find out if they are among thousands of people with a claim on a pool of unclaimed money topping $109 million.

The SRO holds records of money that remain unclaimed after 12 months including refunds, rents and bonds, share dividends, salaries and wages, debentures, interest and proceeds from sales.

The majority of entitlements have been held by the SRO for less than 10 years.

The largest single entitlement in the Yarra Ranges municipality is in the suburb of Olinda – sitting at $23,789.

There is $2 million in total waiting to be claimed in the Yarra Ranges – the second highest amount in regional Victoria behind the Mornington Peninsula.

There are 17,172 outstanding entitlements in the municipality.

Across the state, there are some 678,000 entitlements waiting to be claimed.

Treasurer Tim Pallas said he encourages Victorians to go online and conduct a search.

“This is money that belongs to citizens and we want it in their hands,” Mr Pallas said.

“If the SRO is holding unclaimed money in your name you’ll know within seconds, and the process for recovery is straight forward.”

To search for unclaimed money, visit sro.vic.gov.au/unclaimedmoney. You will need your name or company name, and the address that you believe the unclaimed money lodging organisation would have had on file.

In addition to unclaimed money, the SRO also holds all Tattersalls, Intralot and Tabcorp prizes, as well as TAB winnings, that have remained unclaimed for six months or more.

The highest unclaimed gaming entitlement is $2,136,327 from Tattersalls which was received in March 2016. To claim these winnings, you must supply your original ticket.

All Victorian businesses and trustees holding $20 or more in unclaimed money are reminded they must record and keep the money for at least 12 months, then lodge it with the SRO.

Lodgements can be made via the SRO website.