SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Next time you head off to your gate to catch your flight, make sure you look over your bin upon leaving the TSA checkpoint.
Transportation Security Administration officials say the agency collected $926,030.44 in unclaimed money that passengers left behind at security checkpoints last fiscal year, between Oct. 1, 2018, and Sept. 30, 2019. Of that, $18,899.09 was in foreign currency.
In San Diego, airport officials say $9,809.39 was left behind by travelers.
TSA says the money consisted of loose change and paper currency passengers removed from and left in bins during the security screening process.
While San Diego saw nearly $10,000 left behind, it was nowhere close to the top five U.S. airports:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport: $98,110
- San Francisco International Airport: $52,668.70
- Miami International Airport: $47,694.03
- McCarran International Airport: $44,401.76
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: $40,218.19
For passengers, the agency recommends placing any money in carry-on bags during the security screening and to double-check the bin before leaving.
If a passenger leaves any belongings behind, they can contact one of TSA’s lost and found offices at airports.
