Example Scam Letter April 2019

The Delaware Division of Revenue wants to alert citizens to a new taxpayer scam that is happening in Delaware. Victims may receive a letter from “The Bureau of Tax Enforcement” that threatens property seizure and wage garnishment unless they call a toll-free number to “avoid enforcement.”

“These scam mailings are designed to trick taxpayers into thinking they have received an official communication from the Division of Revenue,” warns Director Jennifer R. Hudson. The notices threaten the seizure of the taxpayer’s property if the recipient fails to make immediate payment. The scammers are accessing public records in order to include taxpayer-specific information on the notices to make them appear legitimate, and then using pressure tactics and fear to motivate the recipient into taking immediate action.

Taxpayers who think they may have received such a letter should contact the Division of Revenue at (302) 577-8200, option 3, with any questions. Taxpayers should also file a Consumer Complaint with the Delaware Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Unit. Information about the complaint process is available at https://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/fraud/cpu/ and the complaint form is available online – Consumer Complaint Form.

Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), individuals were permitted to claim an unlimited amount of state and local real property and income taxes paid as itemized deductions. Starting with tax years 2018, those deductions will be limited.

Delaware follows federal law regarding itemized deductions, and taxpayers will be entitled to an itemized deduction for state and local taxes equal to the total real property taxes and local income taxes paid – up to the maximum $10,000 (or $5,000 for married individuals filing a separate or combined separate return).

Taxpayers will continue to be allowed to claim itemized deductions on a Delaware return, even if the taxpayer has claimed the standard deduction on a federal return.

For more information, and detailed examples, the Delaware Division of Revenue has published a Technical Information Memorandum, available here: https://de.gov/tim201901.

In the past three years, Delaware has reunited owners with more than $300 million in unclaimed property. On Friday, October 28, 2016 the Delaware Department of Finance will publish the names and addresses of approximately 169,000 owners of unclaimed property in the Delaware State News and the News Journal. The list will include the names of individuals who have had property reported to the Office of Unclaimed Property within the last year. The publication will provide owners with a variety of ways to recover their property.

Many people find it hard to believe they may have overlooked an investment or savings account, but the thousands of names published annually show that it happens more often than you might think. Unclaimed property can include forgotten bank accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and utility deposits and refunds. Most of these accounts are considered abandoned, and have been turned over to the state after years of inactivity. If you’re interested in being reunited with your property, visit our fast, safe, and secure website at https://delaware.findyourunclaimedproperty.com to complete your claim.

The agency continues to find new and refined ways to reunite owners with their assets as quickly and securely as possible. These enhanced features allow visitors to submit and check their claims status anywhere, at any time. Since the department unveiled its updated searchable website last year, it has rolled out a succession of improvements that make the process of recovering property more convenient for property owners. Owners who seek to recover property can now file claims using mobile devices and safely and securely upload documentation to claims processing staff.

If you’re interested in reconnecting with your property, “The web claim process is simple, and can be completed in a few minutes,” says State Escheator, David Gregor. “We encourage citizens to visit the website at any time to see if they may be entitled to recover property.”

For more information, please visit https://delaware.findyourunclaimedproperty.com, email escheat.claimquestions@delaware.gov, or call the Office of Unclaimed Property at (855) 505-7520.

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Leslie A. Poland
Public Information Officer
Delaware Division of Revenue
(302) 577-8522
leslie.poland@delaware.gov

Statewide, DE – On Friday, October 30, 2015 the Delaware Department of Finance will officially launch delaware.findyourunclaimedproperty.com. The new website will provide the public easy access to the state’s unclaimed property database. It will allow users to search by name to find information regarding any unclaimed property they may have in Delaware. The website also allows visitors to submit and check claim status online.

“The new website is certainly a welcome and timely development,” remarked Governor Jack Markell. “We have a duty to return unclaimed funds to rightful owners and the website allows us to reunite owners with their funds with greater efficiency and customer focus.”

Unclaimed property can include forgotten savings and checking accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and utility deposits and refunds. Most of these accounts are considered abandoned, and have been turned over to the state after years of inactivity.

With the introduction of new processing systems, the number of successful claims in Delaware has increased dramatically. Since July of 2013, the Department has processed over 22,000 claims – successfully reuniting citizens with more than $225 million in previously unclaimed funds.

“Delaware continues to seek new and innovative ways to reach unclaimed property owners,” says State Escheator, David Gregor. “Whether it’s a $50 deposit from a closed utility account, or $5,000 from a forgotten savings account, it’s your money – and it’s our job to get it back to you. We hope this new website will make that process even easier.”

In addition to launching delaware.findyourunclaimedproperty.com, the Department will publish the names and addresses of approximately 147,000 owners of unclaimed property in Friday’s editions of the Delaware State News and the News Journal. For more information, email escheat.claimquestions@delaware.gov, or call the Office of Unclaimed Property at (855) 505-7520.

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Leslie A. Poland
Public Information Officer
Department of Finance
Delaware Division of Revenue
(302) 577-8522
leslie.poland@delaware.gov

Is your name on the list?

The Delaware Department of Finance will publish the names and addresses of over 100,000 owners of unclaimed property in today’s Delaware State News, the News Journal and on www.finance.delaware.gov.

Pursuant to Section 1143, Chapter 11, Title 12 of the Delaware Code, this property has been reported to the Delaware State Escheator by corporations and other entities unable to locate the property’s rightful owners.  Unclaimed property is not real estate but monetary items like stocks, wages, refunds, uncashed/undelivered/unclaimed dividends, interest, and more.

Today’s list will name property owners around the world. The list will remain online for one year to encourage increased claims.

To claim property on today’s list, a claimant must be the property’s rightful owner. The claimant’s name must appear on the list, or they must be an executor or heir of an estate whose owner’s name appears on today’s list. Claimants must then complete a Request Form available with the published list or on www.finance.delaware.gov.

Before a claim can be initiated, all claimants must include with their Request Form a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or other applicable identification. Claimants must also provide documentation demonstrating a legal right to claim any property listed in another name.  (Examples: For estates, certified Letter of Testamentary or Small Estate Affidavit. For another living person, a notarized Power of Attorney.) A Claim Form or request for additional information will then be mailed to the claimant for completion.

Due to the size of today’s publication and the expected response, Request Forms will be answered within approximately (12) weeks from the receipt of inquiry. Further information concerning a claim can be obtained by calling (302) 577-8782 or by sending an e-mail to escheat.claimquestions@delaware.gov.

Request Forms should be sent to:

Delaware Division of Revenue
Bureau of Unclaimed Property
P.O. Box 8931
Wilmington, DE 19899

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