ATHOL — Town Treasurer/Collector Patrick McIntyre told The Athol Daily News that roughly $67,000 in uncashed checks — or “tailings” — are awaiting claim by about 270 residents and businesses. “These are checks that have been cut over the years that people have not cashed; either they didn’t get them, or they misplaced them….so we want to get that money back to them. If they don’t put a claim in, those funds get returned to the town,” he explained.
Amounts range from $1.31 to more than $12,000 and include motor vehicle excise rebates, real estate tax refunds and vendor payments. Some checks date back to 2014.
McIntyre said the town will post the list of unclaimed checks on its website in early May for 60 days, then issue public notices for another 60 days. Checks over $100 must remain claimable for one year; those under $100 can revert to the town after 120 days. The checks that remain unclaimed will ultimately be deposited into Athol’s free cash account.
“If Joe Smith says, ‘Hey, that’s me — that’s my money,’ he can file a claim with us,” McIntyre said. “They give us two forms of ID, then we send them a replacement check.”
Claim forms will be available for printing online and at the Treasurer/Collector’s office when the list of unclaimed checks is posted to the town’s website in early May. Claimants must submit the completed form in person at Town Hall, presenting one photo ID (driver’s license or passport) and a second ID (utility bill or credit/debit card). Executors filing for deceased individuals must provide proof of executorship along with identification.
