By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Jamie Salter
Greater Dandenong residents are being called to apply for more than $1.7 million in unclaimed money at the State Revenue Office (SRO).
Statewide, there’s $111 million in ‘surprise windfalls’ from sources such as utility companies, local councils, real estate agents, insurance companies and lotto tickets.
Other sources include share dividends, salaries and wages, rents and bonds, debentures and interest, and proceeds from sales.
In Greater Dandenong, there are 13,764 ‘entitlements’ to a combined $1.76 million.
In neighbouring Casey, $3.1 million is owed in more than 26,200 unclaimed entitlements.
A Hampton Park resident can claim $67,026 – the largest single entitlement in Casey.
Assistant treasurer Danny Pearson said Victorians, businesses and community groups could visit the SRO website and search for any amount recorded under their name.
“All you need are a few personal details and if we’re holding unclaimed money in your name, you’ll know within seconds,” Mr Pearson said.
“If you find an unexpected windfall, just follow the prompts to start the recovery process.”
In the past five years, there have been more than 60,000 successful claims worth almost $20 million.
The SRO holds records of money that remain unclaimed after 12 months – with the minimum set at $20.
The City of Melbourne is the council area with the most potential claims – 57,000 totalling $15.2 million at an average of $266 – followed by Monash ($7 million), Boroondara ($6.7 million) and Whitehorse ($4.8 million).
The highest unclaimed gaming ticket is $2,136,327 from Tattersalls – received in March 2016.
Some $860,000 in lottery winnings sitting with the SRO were eventually claimed by the owners of the tickets last year, while tickets worth $100,000 and $73,190 were among those notified by gaming companies as being unclaimed.
To claim these winnings, claimants must supply the original ticket.
Details: sro.vic.gov.au/unclaimedmoney.
