Utica, NY (WIBX) - Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is looking to return unclaimed money to its members.

According to the company, nearly 12,000 people can claim part of the approximately $1.2 million worth of unclaimed checks issued in 2008.

Because of state requirements, each yearExcellus must make a list of unclaimed checks three years or older and attempt to reach the owners through advertisements in local papers and their website.

Stephanie Davis, an Excellus representative, said the checks often go unclaimed for several reasons.

"The member may have moved and not left a forwarding address so we couldn't get it to them, the member may have died or the member may have just simply forgotten about the money and not have been aware that they were owed it," Davis said.             

If money goes unclaimed by the August 31st deadline, it will be turned over to the New York State Comptroller and placed into the general fund.

To see if your name is on the forgotten funds list, click here to go to the company's website, or call Excellus at 1 (877) 757-3850.

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