According to Moneywise, a Sacramento senior aged 66 lost $6,000 about 4 years ago and recently found the bills. The cash was so deteriorated that the bank refused to accept it.
It must have been a big blow for this senior after being relieved for finding it. Apparently the money was in an envelope buried in the backyard. Mary Venegas was astonished when she managed to find the $6,000 in cash.
Where was the money this 66-year-old senior lost?
Mary Venegas stated that it was in some cardboard boxes in her backyard. Although she thought that the money had already disappeared before finding it, she kept looking for it.
Being on a fixed income like Social Security retirement benefits is a problem for many American seniors who live on a shoestring budget. Mary Venegas even had still had unpaid utility bills.
The reason why she lost the money is not clear though. She claims that she is just too forgetful and had saved that money to pay taxes. Unfortunately, she was not able to recover it until recently.
Banks may refuse deteriorated bills, what to do in that situation?
Mary Venegas mostly had $100 bills and she was really disappointed after having these deteriorated bills rejected. Needless to say she is the rightful owner of this $6,000.
However, the bills need to undergo a professional examination by the BEP. BEP stands for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in the United States. The reason is they are in charge of printing the money or Federal Reserve Notes are needed.
Therefore, if you have any deteriorated bills from water, fire, chemicals, insects, animals, and so on, take it to the BEP. Anyway, this is not a fast process and it can take up to 3 years. So, Mary Venegas worries she is too old to wait for so long since she could pass away.
If you are in the same situation, fill out this form to recover mutilated bills https://www.bep.gov/media/931/download?inline.
