Area residents may be richer than they think

According to Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, several area residents may be worth more than they think.

On Oct. 21, the state will release its annual list of individuals with abandoned property.

This year's list contains the names of more than 152,000 people for whom the state is holding $250 or more in forgotten funds.

Those who would like more information about the Unclaimed Property Program may call 800-654-3463 or use the online database at www. window.state.tx.us/up.

Individuals listing Madisonville as an address and included on this year's list are:

Robert W. Bledsoe, Sherry A. Boykin, Spencer T. Bruegger, Florence O. Campbell, May V. Cornell, Tata Creighton, Bob Crouch, Cynthia B. Davis, Billy W. Dennis, Benne C. Elliott, Madisonville Fincher, Woodrow Hensarling, Landmark Title Co., Sharon McCorquodale, Medical Center Pharmacy, John L. Oxley, Ramona R. Phillips, Tracy Pickett, Jemartha Reed Jr., Robert L. Sliger, Dovie G. Smith, James G. Tarver, Ernest L. Taylor, Dana Vick and Dale Wickliffe.

Those in Midway are:

Rex L. Mosser, Catherine Robin, Tim Springer, Catherine R. Taylor and Mark F. Young.

In North Zulch, property is being held for:

Jeff Oley Barnett, George M. Crow, Earlene Floyd, Earlene M. Floyd, North Zulch VFD and Bob Smith.

Among the more common reasons people have unclaimed property on state records are moving without leaving a forwarding address or not making deposits or withdrawals in a bank account within the past five years.

The state will continue to hold the property whether it is claimed or not. Texas has approximately $1.7 billion in unclaimed property.

There are companies that offer to collect the funds owed for a fee, but state law limits the amount such companies can charge to 10 percent of the value of the unclaimed property.

Most people prefer to claim the money themselves by calling the toll free number above.

However, according to the comptroller's office, the telephone lines are usually very busy the first few weeks after the names of those with unclaimed property are released.