5 On Your Side

Raleigh Man Reunited With Long-Lost Cash

Posted Updated

RALEIGH, N.C. — When you put your money in the bank, you expect it to be there when you want it.

At least that's what Bob Campbell thought when he put money away in hopes of starting a business.

"It was some up-front money I had put in the bank to work with," Campbell said.

That was eight years ago. The business never took off so, the money just sat in the bank.

"I guess, over the years, I kind of forgot it was there," laughed Campbell.

With the account inactive for so long, the bank was required by law to turn over the $2,500 to the North Carolina's State Treasurer's Office.

That's where Five On Your Side found Campbell's name on a list of thousands of people who have money being held in the state's unclaimed property program.

The list is filled with listings of about $600 million in unclaimed paychecks to utility deposits to forgotten stocks. One out of eight North Carolinians has unclaimed cash being held by the state.

Campbell never imagined he would be one of those eight.

"I was wondering how it got there because I thought I had it safely in a bank," he said. "It was kind of a shock, but it was good to know it was still there, and I could get it back."

As it turns out, the state was also holding another check for Campbell -- $374 from an insurance company.

Campbell now encourages family members and friends to keep checking with the state.

"Oh, I think it's worthwhile for somebody to check on it," he said. "Like I said, it was a total shock to find out that I had some money there."

And although Campbell put his new-found cash right back in the bank, he said it won't go unclaimed this time.

To date, Five On Your Side has found more than $200,000 for local residents.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.