With Christmas just three months away, South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis, of West Columbia, is encouraging folks to Claim Your Cash for Christmas from the Unclaimed Property Program to get a jump on holiday expenses.

“We can all use a little extra money, especially around the holidays. Now is the perfect time to search the State Treasurer’s website for unclaimed property because valid claims received in September will be processed for payment in plenty of time for the holiday season,” said Treasurer Loftis. “And it allows me the opportunity to play Santa and return lost funds to South Carolinians.”

The Treasurer’s Office will share names on its Facebook page and feature videos about real people who have received unclaimed property.

The State Treasurer’s Office has more than $550 million in unclaimed property available to give back to South Carolina citizens, businesses and organizations. Examples include dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, unclaimed insurance proceeds and forgotten utility deposits. The Treasurer acts as custodian of these funds until they are claimed by their rightful owners.

Since 2011, Treasurer Loftis has returned more than $158 million in unclaimed property, more than all previous treasurers combined.

You can visit the www.treasurer.sc.gov to see if there is unclaimed property for you or your family.