He wrote a examine from his personal account. Then, when he tried to money it, the financial institution stated the cash was gone. It wasn’t stolen, however the place did his cash go? He referred to as Assist Me Howard with Patrick Fraser.
Stephen has a terrific perspective. Outstanding contemplating the hand life has dealt him.
Stephen Miller: “I used to be born with cerebral palsy.”
Immediately, Stephen takes care of himself and his brother Joseph, who’s mentally challenged. And Joseph helps Stephen, as nicely.
Stephen Miller: “I’m glad he’s right here. If he wasn’t right here, it could be nearly not possible.”
They get by on incapacity checks. However just a few years in the past, Stephen had $9,200 and received some unusual recommendation.
Stephen Miller: “‘Properly, put your cash within the cashier’s examine, and it’ll be secure. It’ll be good for seven years.’”
That was 2018. Stephen hid the cashier’s examine and forgot about it. Then, his ceiling cracked. His wheelchair began to interrupt down.
Stephen Miller: “The wheels must be changed.”
He needed to borrow $3,500 to repair a plumbing downside and his ground buckled making it tough for Stephen to get round his personal home.
Stephen didn’t have the cash to sort things, however he thought he received a break whereas wanting via some drawers and located the $9,200 greenback cashier’s examine. He headed to the financial institution
Stephen Miller: “‘Sorry, Mr. Miller, that is no payee file discovered.’ So, principally, the examine is null and void.”
The financial institution advised him to examine the unclaimed funds web site in Florida and in Ohio, the place the financial institution is headquartered.
Stephen Miller: “, there’s like 1,000,000 Stephen Millers and Stephen Michael Millers. It’s not there and it’s, like, a crushing feeling.”
Stephen and Joseph have so many repairs to make, however the $9,200 that may pay for many of it may possibly’t be discovered.
Stephen Miller: “I reached out to Channel 7 and Assist Me Howard, I’ve seen the way you guys do your damndest to assist folks.”
Should you neglect about your cash in a checking account, can it simply disappear after just a few years, Howard?
Howard Finkelstein: “Legally, it may possibly’t disappear, however after numerous years, the financial institution not has to keep up the account. Nevertheless, they do need to ship the cash to the state’s unclaimed fund account, the place a document is created, so the proprietor of the cash or their heirs can get it.”
I first contacted Chase. A financial institution spokesperson rapidly responded writing, “We will verify that the funds from the cashier’s examine have been “escheated” (reverted) to the state of Ohio.”
I contacted the Ohio Division of Commerce. They have been good sufficient to offer me the title of a girl to personally assist Stephen discover his cash.
Stephen Miller: “‘I would like your social safety quantity.’ She generated a declare and I had them notarized and I simply despatched them again to them on Friday.”
Whereas he waits for the $9,200, Stephen received a fellow to briefly patch his ground so he can get round, and hopefully, he’ll quickly be capable of pay for all of the repairs after that decision to Assist Me Howard
Stephen Miller: “You guys are like my lifeboat, you understand. I used to be sinking and about able to drown.”
Nice metaphor, Stephen, I would name you for some writing ideas.
Now whereas the cashier’s examine was good for seven years in Florida, Chase glided by Ohio legislation, the place it’s good for 5 years. Both means, Stephen will get his cash.
And if you wish to see when you’ve got any forgotten cash in Florida, or perhaps a relative who has handed has cash there, click on right here to search out out.
An issue floored you? Wish to patch issues up? Examine with us that can assist you money in.
With this Assist Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.
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