116B-78.1. Property finder regulation and enforcement.
(a) A property finder shall be licensed as a private investigator by the North Carolina Private Protective Services Board pursuant to Chapter 74C of the General Statutes.
(b) A property finder shall not initiate a claim with the Treasurer at any time prior to being registered as a property finder under G.S. 116B-78(f) or prior to licensure as a private investigator. Failure to comply with this subsection may result in the denial of the property finder's registration for a period of up to one year.
(c) A property finder shall not initiate a claim with the Treasurer at any time prior to obtaining a valid agreement with an owner or apparent owner. Failure to comply with this section may result in the suspension of the property finder's registration for a period of up to one year.
(d) If a property finder enters into an agreement to locate property that does not comply with G.S. 116B-78, then the Treasurer may suspend the property finder's registration for a period of up to one year.
(e) A property finder with a suspended registration is prohibited from conducting business with the Unclaimed Property Division. Any pending or potential claims shall be denied during any period of suspension. (2021-157, s. 2(f).)
Structure North Carolina General Statutes
North Carolina General Statutes
Chapter 116B - Escheats and Abandoned Property
Article 4 - North Carolina Unclaimed Property Act.
§ 116B-53 - Presumptions of abandonment.
§ 116B-54.1 - Unclaimed United States savings bonds.
§ 116B-55 - Contents of safe deposit box or other safekeeping depository.
§ 116B-56 - Rules for taking custody.
§ 116B-57 - Dormancy charge; other lawful charges.
§ 116B-58 - Burden of proof as to property evidenced by record of check or draft.
§ 116B-59 - Notice by holders to apparent owners.
§ 116B-60 - Report of abandoned property; certification by holders with tax return.
§ 116B-61 - Payment or delivery of abandoned property.
§ 116B-62 - Preparation of list of owners by Treasurer.
§ 116B-63 - Custody by State; recovery by holder; defense of holder.
§ 116B-64 - Loss, income, or gain accruing after payment or delivery.
§ 116B-65 - Public sale of abandoned property.
§ 116B-66 - Claim of another state to recover property.
§ 116B-67 - Claim for property paid or delivered to the Treasurer.
§ 116B-68 - Action to establish claim.
§ 116B-69 - Election to take payment or delivery.
§ 116B-71 - Periods of limitation.
§ 116B-72 - Requests for reports and examination of records.
§ 116B-73 - Retention of records.
§ 116B-74 - Discretionary precompliance review.
§ 116B-76 - Interstate agreements and cooperation; joint and reciprocal actions with other states.
§ 116B-77 - Interest and penalties; waiver.
§ 116B-78 - Agreement to locate property between property finders and owners or apparent owners.
§ 116B-78.1 - Property finder regulation and enforcement.