BALTIMORE, Md. - Thousands of people who live in Maryland are in for an unexpected windfall. The state's unclaimed property division is advertising the names of 54,000 people who have cash or property coming their way.

Counting people already on the list, there are 800,000 Maryland with unclaimed cash or property.

According to Brian Edwards, "Finding out you have money you haven't claimed is always a good thing."

Edwards visited Maryland's unclaimed property center because a friend saw his name on a statewide list. It turns out he has $300 from an old insurance dispute coming his way.

"It means bills will get paid, bills will get paid," Edwards said.

"Given the tough economic times we've had, I think it's appropriate to reunite Marylanders with their possessions and their money," said Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, who's launched a statewide advertising campaign to inform Marylanders about unclaimed property.

There's $795 million worth of cash and collectibles left unclaimed from banks, insurance companies, and old safety deposit boxes. Though some of it's sold on EBay to clear up space, the proceeds are available until someone claims them.

With 800,000 people on the list, you'd think it would be easy to get people off the list. But many who spoke with ABC 7 though it was simply too good to be true.

Marlon King didn't believe it when we found her name on the online list.

"Maybe I owe them some money, maybe that's why I'm in there," she said.

Instead, she's taking home $190 from an old bid on a house.

"I'm gonna claim it," she said. "I can use it!"

Another man who didn't want to be identified will receive a $1,400 bank refund.

CLICK HERE to see if you have unclaimed money or property.

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