Council Bluffs Reclaims Unclaimed Cash in Iowa Treasure Hunt

State Treasurer returns over $2,500 in lost funds to city officials

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:51am

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The city of Council Bluffs, Iowa has reclaimed over $2,500 in unclaimed cash as part of the state's 'The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt' program. State Treasurer Roby Smith presented a check to Mayor Jill Shudak, with officials estimating that Pottawattamie County alone has around $16 million in unclaimed property waiting to be returned to its rightful owners.

Why it matters

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is an effort by the state to reunite Iowans with millions of dollars in lost or forgotten funds, such as abandoned bank accounts, unclaimed rent deposits, and other unclaimed property. This program helps return money to local communities and residents, but officials say many people are skeptical that it's not a scam.

The details

The unclaimed funds were recovered by the state and presented to Council Bluffs officials. State Treasurer Roby Smith says about one in seven Iowans could be eligible to receive a check through the program, which is trying to return an estimated $16 million in unclaimed property from Pottawattamie County alone.

  • The check was presented to Council Bluffs Mayor Jill Shudak on April 1, 2026.

The players

Roby Smith

The State Treasurer of Iowa who oversees the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program to return unclaimed funds to their rightful owners.

Jill Shudak

The Mayor of Council Bluffs, Iowa who received a check for over $2,500 in unclaimed funds recovered by the state.

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What they’re saying

“People think it's a scam. We are so glad that Iowans are vigilant and keeping an eye out for something like that. But when it's coming from our office, just call. They call us and my staff is there to answer any questions.”

— Roby Smith, State Treasurer

What’s next

The state will continue its efforts to return millions in unclaimed property to Iowans, and officials encourage residents to check the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt website to see if they have any funds waiting to be claimed.

The takeaway

This program demonstrates how state governments can work to reunite citizens with lost or forgotten funds, but also highlights the challenge of overcoming public skepticism about the legitimacy of such initiatives.