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B-229152 October 29, 1987

B-229152 Oct 29, 1987
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The Honorable Strom Thurmond United States Senate Dear Senator Thurmond: This is in response to your letter of September 29. We have been informed by Ms. There is no one place that an individual can check to see if the government owes them money. We are unable to identify any particular governing statutes or regulations. We are also unaware of any generally applicable provisions that would apply. We are returning to you documents you forwarded to us from Ms. Should you have additional questions.

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B-229152 October 29, 1987

The Honorable Strom Thurmond United States Senate

Dear Senator Thurmond:

This is in response to your letter of September 29, 1987, in reference to Ms. Patsy R. Williamson. Ms. Williamson contacted your office regarding correspondence which she received from private citizens, indicating that the federal government owed her $551.32 and offering to secure these funds for her in exchange for a fee.

We have been informed by Ms. Williamson that subsequent to discussions with your staff, she has signed a contingent fee agreement with an individual who has offered to secure the funds allegedly owed to her by the government. We view this contractual arrangement principally as a private matter.

There is no one place that an individual can check to see if the government owes them money. As we do not know the basis upon which the government may owe Ms. Williamson money, we are unable to identify any particular governing statutes or regulations. We are also unaware of any generally applicable provisions that would apply.

We are returning to you documents you forwarded to us from Ms. Williamson. Should you have additional questions, or if we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

Sincerely yours,

James F. Hinchman General Counsel

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