U.S. Department of Labor searches for North Carolinians owed $2.5 million in unclaimed money

The U.S. Department of Labor is searching for more than 3,000 North Carolina residents who are owed $2.5 million in unclaimed money.

There are 51 residents in Winston-Salem and 40 in Greensboro who are among the people owed for recovered wages. Department of Labor Director for North Carolina Rick Blaylock says jobs across the state are reviewed daily to ensure they're following pay requirements.

"Unfortunately, many times employers, for whatever reason, they may not just clearly understand the law, are not paying their workers correctly," Blaylock says. "And so workers are losing wages that they should have been paid."

Businesses not in compliance are required to make payments. Blaylock says his department steps in to locate workers who are owed these funds if the employers cannot.

He says some of the industries this often impacts include restaurants, construction, and healthcare.

People can use the Workers Owed Wages tool on the Department of Labor's website to determine if they are among those affected. They can also contact the department's Wage and Hour Division.

Blaylock says the money is held for three years. After that it's turned over to the U.S. Treasury.