Mary Pitman

Mary Pitman is a consumer advocate and speaker who has spent the past several years honing her missing money search skills. She has appeared on America's Money Class with Suze Orman, Good Morning America, in AARP, CNNMoney, The Street and regional and local TV and more than 100 radio interviews.

It was a friend at work who inspired her to compile all her search tips, additional places to search beyond just the state unclaimed property sites, plus her valuable consumer information into "The Little Book of Missing Money: A Quick and Easy Guide to Finding Money that is Rightfully Yours," now in the fourth edition.

"My friend, Linda, was getting calls and letters from attorneys and agencies saying she had money but they all wanted about 35 percent of her money to help her. One guy wanted $700; another one wanted $2,100. To me, that was like having to pay a ransom to get your own money," Pitman said.

"Linda was determined to find it on her own, but didn't know where to begin. I knew she was not alone. Others could use my search tips to increase their chances of finding money for themselves plus friends and family. That's when the idea for the book was born."

Unlike most authors, Pitman's goal is to make her book obsolete.

"Two of the most important sections of the book are 20 Tips to Prevent Your Money from Going to the State plus a checklist for change of name or address or if you are an executor of a will," Pitman remarked. "It's far easier to keep your money than go chasing after it."

Mary Pitman is the founder of National Find Your Missing Money Day, which is April 16.