Meet the BC Unclaimed Team!
December 16, 2024
We thought it was time we introduced ourselves, starting with our team of administrators. You may have received a letter from one of our dedicated Administrators, Eileen, Mandana or Mauricio. It’s our Administrators who conduct the search efforts for the owners of unclaimed property. They’re also the people responsible for reviewing every claim, answering phone calls or replying to your emails. Our team is passionate about the task of returning unclaimed money back into the hands of British Columbians, so we thought we’d take this chance to share what we love about working at BC Unclaimed, and some of the impactful and surprising parts of the job.
Why did you want to work at BC Unclaimed?
Mauricio: When I read the job description, I knew I wanted to be part of the BC Unclaimed team. I had worked with some unclaimed property before, but not to the extent that BC Unclaimed does it. I knew helping reunite people with their forgotten monies can be very rewarding, so I wanted to be part of that story.
Eileen: What drew me to BC Unclaimed was that I liked the idea of a job that did good – directly by returning people’s property and indirectly because this is an organization that also donates annually to Vancouver Foundation, which does amazing things for all of BC with the money.
Mandana: My passion for public service and desire to help individuals reconnect with their lost assets sparked my interest in BC Unclaimed. The organization’s commitment to transparency and accountability aligns with my values. My background in finance and customer service equips me to contribute effectively to the team.
What’s your favourite part about your work?
Mauricio: My favorite part of working for BC Unclaimed is knowing that you can make a difference, that every claim has the potential of affecting people's lives in a positive way. Helping claimants navigate the process of claiming their forgotten funds is like helping them find big change under the sofa.
Eileen: Besides the feel-good aspect [of returning people’s money], my favourite things about my work are my coworkers, and all of the estate files we see. Family histories are fascinating! I also appreciate that this is an environment that empowers me to use the writing and editing skills I brought with me, and where I am encouraged to learn about different topics and talk to so many interesting people.
Mandana: I love making a meaningful impact by helping individuals reclaim their unclaimed assets. It’s rewarding to see the positive outcomes. I also value the collaborative environment at BC Unclaimed, where teamwork and a shared commitment to public service drive our success.
What surprised you about the task of returning peoples’ unclaimed funds?
Mauricio: One of the surprises about the task of returning people's unclaimed funds is that every claim has a story to tell and a reason why the money was left behind. Sometimes [the money is] closure, sometimes it is a nice surprise.
Eileen: What was surprising about starting work here was that a large number of people don’t know who we are or what we do. We’re constantly explaining that BC Unclaimed is legitimate – the Government of BC website links directly to us – and we just want to get your money back to you. We don’t charge you anything or want anything from you for this service, other than proof that you are the rightful owner. And we have so many properties to return: Tell your friends!
Mandana: The task of returning unclaimed funds revealed a surprising volume of assets and the complexity of tracing rightful owners. Many individuals are unaware of their unclaimed assets, but it is incredibly rewarding to witness their joy and relief when reunited with their funds. The process has shown us just how important it is to keep detailed records and reach out proactively.
From your time working at BC Unclaimed, do you have any funny stories or memorable claimants?
Mauricio: A claimant was in the process of cleaning and shredding her old documents, then a relative heard about BC Unclaimed through an ad on TV. He did a search for him and his relative and found no funds for him, but he did find a property for his aunty, so he let her know. Lo and behold, she found out about her forgotten monies and how to claim them.
Mandana: One memorable claimant was an elderly gentleman who faced difficulties uploading his document and was quite certain he couldn’t do it. I reassured him that with a bit of patience and my assistance, he could manage it. I stayed on the call until he successfully uploaded the document, offering encouragement and congratulations at the end. He was very pleased and grateful.
Eileen: I really enjoyed it when we were able to collect the missing and needed information in order to connect the dots on a property we were holding and figure out who the rightful heirs were. It was fulfilling to be able to pay out an estate to family members of the owner, who were located all the way over in Ireland.
We’re grateful to have had the chance to introduce ourselves and share some insights into our work at BC Unclaimed. Helping British Columbians reconnect with their unclaimed money isn’t just a job for us—it’s a rewarding mission that combines problem-solving, human connection, and the joy of making a difference. Whether it’s reuniting families with long-lost funds or helping individuals navigate the claims process, our dedicated team is here to serve. We encourage you to spread the word about BC Unclaimed and take a moment to check if you, or someone you know, might have unclaimed property waiting to be discovered.
More from BC Unclaimed
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While we will keep your unclaimed funds safe until they’re claimed, these tips will help you make sure your money stays where you intended.
From Lost to Found: Strategies for Proving Your Unclaimed Funds
One of the trickiest parts of claiming your funds can be proving it’s yours. This blog post will provide some suggestions for where to look, and strategies to get started.
Tune into Sherry MacLennan's latest interview about BC Unclaimed on The Jill Bennett Show
Listen to learn more about where unclaimed money comes from and how it can be claimed.