Tollway to let you know about cash in old I-PASS accounts
Hey — you with the $1,485 in your old I-PASS account. It's time to retrieve that long-lost money.
The Illinois tollway is urging drivers to either reactivate languishing accounts or close them and claim a refund before the funds are switched over to the state treasurer's I-Cash program as of Oct. 1.
The tollway reported Thursday an estimated $2.2 million has been sitting in limbo for seven years or more in about 50,000 customers' I-PASS accounts.
The average account balance is between $31 and $45, although 500 people have balances of $100 or more. The highest inactive account on record is $1,485.
In the next few weeks, the agency will mail out letters to inactive I-PASS account holders with a balance of $10 or more informing them of the Oct. 1 deadline.
“We're trying to get the word out,” tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said. “Customers who think they may be impacted can certainly call our customer service centers.”
Typical cases can range from families with multiple I-PASSes and adult children who've moved out to an account holder who is deceased.
To reactive an old account or to cancel one and reclaim I-PASS cash, drivers can call the tollway at (800) 824-7277 or (800) UC-IPASS. Customers also can visit customer service centers at tollway oases or the Downers Grove agency headquarters. Account holders will be required to turn over their old I-PASS transponders. More information is available at www.illinoistollway.com/homepage.
After seven years of inactivity, the agency is required to shift unused funds to the treasurer's office. I-PASS account holders will be able to reclaim their money through the treasurer's I-Cash program, which connects state residents with unclaimed property. To learn more, go to https://icash.illinois.gov/.