Wake Woman Reunited With 'Missing' Money

Raleigh, N.C. — Millions of dollars are currently sitting in North Carolina's unclaimed property account waiting for the rightful owners to claim it. One woman is the latest recipient of finding missing money.

Sharon and Allan Belrose love to sing. The couple often volunteers their time singing at nursing homes, but Allan's guitar is not in great shape. It's actually bolted together. With a limited income, they said they struggled to pay what they already owe.

"I cried because my husband is physically disabled and I'm physically disabled so I'm the only one who can work," Sharon said.

The tears came in September when Sharon got a letter saying she was owed about $4,800 from an old account. She called the company and was told the money was already transferred to North Carolina's Unclaimed Property office. So, Sharon called the state, where an operator told her they did not have any record of receiving the money.

Sharon said she kept checking, but to no avail. Finally, she called Five On Your Side, who learned her money listed under a previous last name.

Two weeks later, a check for $4798.96 arrived at her door.

"I said, 'Oh, my God, it's here. This is it, and I opened it up and I just cried. I just cried. That's all I could do," Sharon said. "I just said, 'Thank you, God' and that was it. It's just wonderful.

"(It's) just wonderful because it will help us so much. It may not be much for a lot of people, but it is for us," Sharon said.

Belrose was lucky that she at least got a letter from the company holding the money. Often, that doesn't happen. Plus, the company may not have a current address. It's a good reminder to check the Unclaimed Property Web site periodically and to check your maiden name or any previous names you may have had. You should also check for misspelled names.