Florida ‘treasure hunters’ will be at
SCC Area Chamber’s Spring Trade Show
By LOIS KINDLE
If you’ve lived any length of time, chances are you could have funds hidden away somewhere that have long been forgotten.
According to the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Unclaimed Property website, the funds “are mostly from dormant accounts in financial institutions, insurance and utility companies, securities and trust holdings.”
Additionally, some folks have unclaimed tangible property like “watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items” and more “from abandoned safe deposit boxes.”
There’s no statute of limitations on unclaimed money or property, so if it’s in the state’s possession, it’s yours to claim.
If you haven’t already done so, you can search for free at the Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Trade Show from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 12 at Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd., Sun City Center. Regional Manager James W. Jacobs, of the Florida Department of Financial Services, and several other representatives will be setting up computers to help folks search on site.
“About five years ago, my husband and I did a search and learned one of us had about $5,000 in an old retirement account with a former employer,” said Lynne Conlan, the chamber’s executive director. “We had completely forgotten about it.”
So when Conlan was planning the upcoming trade show, she thought folks would enjoy stopping by to see if they had “buried treasure” somewhere, while meeting chamber business owners and representatives from area nonprofit organizations.
Up to 100 vendors will be on hand, including financial services, senior residences and senior service providers, health service providers, home services and more. Everyone will have lots of information and giveaways.
Nonprofit groups like the Campaign Against Human Trafficking, The Pelican Players, Kiwanis Club of SouthShore and the SCC Emergency Squad are coming. Kiwanians will sell sloppy joes, hot dogs, chips, drinks and cookies. The squad will provide free blood pressure checks.
As always, WSCQ Sun Radio 96.3 FM will broadcast live during the trade show, chatting with both vendors and visitors and giving away a nice gift basket through a drawing. The winner will be announced April 13 on the Morning Show with Peter and Bob.
New this time, folks representing the Tampa Bay Rays will be on hand to let visitors know the latest on what’s going on with the club and its efforts to stay in the area.
There is still time to reserve a space, Conlan said.
“Here’s your chance to get in front of several thousand people,” she said. “We’re so excited about having the “treasure hunters” this year. We can’t wait to hear stories about people recovering cash or property they didn’t know they had. You never know, it could be a fortune!”
The trade show is also an opportunity for residents to learn more about the businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the community, she said.
“It’s a perfect setting for chamber members reconnecting with old and current customers and meeting new ones.”
To participate in the trade show, or for more information, call 813-634-5111.