SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue and the Aging and Long-Term Services Departments are urging residents to use caution when being approached by solicitors offering to help them recover unclaimed property.
The departments said at least one older New Mexico resident may have been defrauded recently by someone claiming to be affiliated with the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators and was claiming to work on their behalf to recover unclaimed property. Officials said residents should do their homework before hiring someone. Ask for and check references, do not provide any personal information, and be especially careful if the individual asks for payment upfront.
“Older adults are increasingly targeted by financial scams and exploitation, which can devastate their well-being and security,” said ALTSD Cabinet Secretary Jen Paul Schroer in a news release. “It is vital that everyone educate themselves and their loved ones about these scams and report any suspicious activity immediately.”
New Mexicans can find and recover unclaimed property on their own using Taxation and Revenue’s online portal or by reaching out through email at unclaimed.property@tax.nm.gov. People can search for unclaimed property nationwide using missingmoney.com.
More information about New Mexico’s Unclaimed Property program is available on this page.
