Viewers of clutter-gore programs like A&E’s “Hoarders” know that junk haulers are some of our society’s unsung heroes. Emptying homes of crap no one wants is an important job. What people don’t realize, though, is that junk haulers do find the occasional treasure. One Massachusetts hauler recently found $114,000 worth of U.S. savings bonds inside a wooden hope chest that was being broken down for a trip to the dump. He surprised the owner’s daughter with the paper bonds while reality TV cameras just happened to be rolling.

The savings bonds has a 1972 face value of $22,000, making them worth $114,000 today. The hauler was shocked. He does find hidden valuables while hauling unwanted stuff away, and legally the bonds would have been his once the chest was loaded on the truck. He didn’t feel right keeping them, though. Especially while filming a reality TV pilot. He told reporters that he knew he needed to return the bonds to the family. “Just to see the expression on her face when she almost passed out. It’s like hitting the lottery. It can change your life,” he told TV station WHDH.

Bonds worth $114,000 found inside hope chest [WHDH]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.