Q. I got a letter from a law firm saying that there's $600 in unclaimed property in my name and that it can retrieve it for a fee. Is this legit?
-- B. D., Miami
A. Yes, but you don't have to pay anyone to fetch unclaimed property. Handle matters yourself.
Online, we searched for your name in unclaimed funds databases in every state in which you've lived. Positive results popped up in Florida and Michigan. You printed out the claim forms, mailed them in, and, three months later, received your $600!
The easiest route is online. In the Google or Yahoo! search engines, enter ''unclaimed property'' and the state. In Florida, the Bureau of Unclaimed Property's website is www.fltreasurehunt.com; if you don't have Internet access, call 888-258-2253, toll-free. Once you strike gold, you'll need to provide proof of who you are and w-a-i-t.
You can also search several states' databases at once at missingmoney.com.
