KATU delivers an $11,315 surprise to couple

PORTLAND, Ore. - It's hard to imagine forgetting about a bank account or a last paycheck but that's exactly what has happened to many Oregonians who have money owed to them from the state.

We tracked down someone who was owed quite a lot from two forgotten bank accounts and showed up at their house to present them with the money they didn't know they had.

Sid and Nasreen Pasha had $11,315.79 coming to them and were certainly happy that we tracked down the money for them.

Patrick Tate, who oversees all the unclaimed property for the state of Oregon, said well over 1 million people have money owed to them and don't even know it.  Old bank accounts seem to be one of the biggest reasons why.

Nasreen grew up here but moved to the east coast where she met her husband.  She said she remembered having accounts but must have forgotten to close them.

The money certainly comes at a nice time during this down economy but Nasreen joked about how it would be more fun to spend it.

"Maybe I'll go to Atlantic City," she said.

So how can you check to see if your name is on the list?  It's easy.  Just head to Oregon's Unclaimed Property Web site and check their database.