READING, PA — Berks County has recovered nearly $28,000 in unclaimed property from Pennsylvania’s treasury system, returning dormant funds to local government accounts that can now be redirected toward county operations and services.
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity said $27,951.88 was returned to Berks County through the state’s unclaimed property program. The funds came from 81 separate properties, including accounts payable checks, cashier’s checks, claim payment checks, credit balances, dividends, premium refunds, uncashed checks, and an escrow account.
According to Treasury, the individual properties ranged in value up to $20,000. The oldest dated to 2010, while the most recent originated in 2025.
County officials will determine how the recovered funds are used.
Berks County Board of Commissioners Chairman Christian Leinbach said recovering dormant funds helps preserve resources available for county services.
“In today’s economic climate, recovering unclaimed funds from outstanding checks and other sources helps ensure those resources can continue to support essential county services,” Leinbach said.
The return is part of a broader statewide effort that has delivered more than $20 million in unclaimed property to 117 counties and municipalities since 2021, according to Treasury.
State officials said more than $5 billion in unclaimed property remains available for recovery across Pennsylvania, including more than $73 million owed to Berks County residents.
Treasury estimates that more than one in 10 Pennsylvanians is owed unclaimed property, with the average claim exceeding $1,000.
Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, safe deposit box contents, and other financial assets that businesses are required by law to transfer to the state after three years of inactivity.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity said returning unclaimed property allows funds to be put back into local communities and public uses.
Residents can search for unclaimed property through the Pennsylvania Treasury database at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.
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