That letter about missing money might not be a scam—here’s what to know
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We’ve all become wary of unexpected letters promising free money.
Whether it’s fake IRS calls, mystery inheritance emails, or sweepstakes scams, most of us have trained ourselves to toss anything that seems too good to be true.
So, when a letter arrives saying you’re owed money from a government program, it’s natural to assume it’s just another con.
But what if it isn’t?
In Illinois, thousands of people are receiving real letters about unclaimed money—and if you throw yours out, you might be missing your share of a $45 million return program.
He almost threw it out—but the check was real
One Illinois resident shared a letter he received from the Office of the State Treasurer, claiming he was owed $59.79.
Skeptical, he asked on social media if it was a scam.
But according to the Treasurer’s office, it was absolutely legitimate.
The man was part of the state’s “Enhanced Money Match” program—its biggest ever effort to return unclaimed property.
Illinois officials confirmed that around 600,000 residents will be receiving similar letters this summer.
Most of the checks will be for $50 or less, but some recipients could get much more, depending on the value of the unclaimed property.
Also read: You could be missing out: See if you're owed part of $2.3 million in unclaimed property
What is the Enhanced Money Match?
This program is part of Illinois’ long-running I-CASH initiative, which helps return lost or forgotten property to its rightful owners.
That could include things like:
Since Treasurer Michael Frerichs took office, the program has returned over $2.3 billion to residents.
This summer’s $45 million payout is just the latest chapter in that effort.
Also read: Is there hidden money waiting for you? How to instantly check if you have unclaimed cash
How does it work—and how do you claim it?
The state uses official records to automatically match people with their unclaimed property.
If you’re matched, you’ll get a letter explaining the amount you’re owed and what to do next.
Most people just need to confirm their identity, sign a form, and wait for their check.
The Treasurer’s office knows people are suspicious of unexpected money offers, so the letter includes a section titled “What if I don’t believe you?”
It provides a phone number you can call to confirm the letter’s legitimacy.
Frerichs himself said, “The money belongs to you, the check is real, and this is not a scam.”
Also read: A warning text led to this costly mistake—how one couple lost over $80K in a shocking scam
How to spot a real letter—and avoid a scam
It’s always wise to be cautious.
Here are some ways to tell whether a letter is legitimate:
Protect yourself—but don’t miss out
“Trust, but verify” is still the best advice, says Craig Costigan, CEO of fraud prevention firm NICE Actimize.
Never give out sensitive information unless you’re absolutely sure who you’re dealing with.
Here are a few more tips to stay safe:
Also read: How a $50K scam fooled a finance expert—and what it means for the rest of us
Not in Illinois? You still might have money waiting
Every US state has its own version of an unclaimed property program.
You can usually search online for free using the official state website.
Be wary of “finder” services that charge a fee—they’re unnecessary and sometimes fraudulent.
Also read: Discover the smart scam alert that could protect your bank account!
Why does money go unclaimed in the first place?
It’s easier than you’d think to forget about an old bank account or rebate card.
People move, change names, or misplace paperwork.
After a certain amount of time, businesses are legally required to hand unclaimed money over to the state.
The state then holds it until someone comes forward to claim it—no matter how long it’s been.
There’s nothing wrong with double-checking an unexpected letter.
But if you live in Illinois and get one about unclaimed funds, don’t toss it out without taking a closer look.
A small check could help cover groceries, gas, or a fun treat this summer.
Read next: Protect your life savings: The one red flag that could stop a bank scam before it starts
Have you ever found money through a state program? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your story.
Whether it’s fake IRS calls, mystery inheritance emails, or sweepstakes scams, most of us have trained ourselves to toss anything that seems too good to be true.
So, when a letter arrives saying you’re owed money from a government program, it’s natural to assume it’s just another con.
But what if it isn’t?
In Illinois, thousands of people are receiving real letters about unclaimed money—and if you throw yours out, you might be missing your share of a $45 million return program.
That unexpected letter about unclaimed money might be real—here’s how to know for sure. Image Source: Pexels / Kindel Media.
He almost threw it out—but the check was real
One Illinois resident shared a letter he received from the Office of the State Treasurer, claiming he was owed $59.79.
Skeptical, he asked on social media if it was a scam.
But according to the Treasurer’s office, it was absolutely legitimate.
The man was part of the state’s “Enhanced Money Match” program—its biggest ever effort to return unclaimed property.
Illinois officials confirmed that around 600,000 residents will be receiving similar letters this summer.
Most of the checks will be for $50 or less, but some recipients could get much more, depending on the value of the unclaimed property.
Also read: You could be missing out: See if you're owed part of $2.3 million in unclaimed property
What is the Enhanced Money Match?
This program is part of Illinois’ long-running I-CASH initiative, which helps return lost or forgotten property to its rightful owners.
That could include things like:
- Dormant bank accounts
- Unused rebate or gift cards
- Unclaimed life insurance payouts
- Safe deposit box contents
Since Treasurer Michael Frerichs took office, the program has returned over $2.3 billion to residents.
This summer’s $45 million payout is just the latest chapter in that effort.
Also read: Is there hidden money waiting for you? How to instantly check if you have unclaimed cash
How does it work—and how do you claim it?
The state uses official records to automatically match people with their unclaimed property.
If you’re matched, you’ll get a letter explaining the amount you’re owed and what to do next.
Most people just need to confirm their identity, sign a form, and wait for their check.
The Treasurer’s office knows people are suspicious of unexpected money offers, so the letter includes a section titled “What if I don’t believe you?”
It provides a phone number you can call to confirm the letter’s legitimacy.
Frerichs himself said, “The money belongs to you, the check is real, and this is not a scam.”
Also read: A warning text led to this costly mistake—how one couple lost over $80K in a shocking scam
How to spot a real letter—and avoid a scam
It’s always wise to be cautious.
Here are some ways to tell whether a letter is legitimate:
- Check the source – Official letters come from your state treasurer’s office, not a random company.
- Watch for red flags – Real programs won’t ask for your Social Security number, bank details, or credit card info.
- Verify online – Illinois residents can check their name at www.illinoistreasurer.gov/ICASH. Other states have similar databases.
- Call the real number – If you're unsure, look up the treasurer’s office yourself and call—not the number in the letter.
- Avoid pressure tactics – Government programs won’t threaten you or give tight deadlines to claim money.
Protect yourself—but don’t miss out
“Trust, but verify” is still the best advice, says Craig Costigan, CEO of fraud prevention firm NICE Actimize.
Never give out sensitive information unless you’re absolutely sure who you’re dealing with.
Here are a few more tips to stay safe:
- Keep personal documents secure
- Check your credit reports regularly
- Freeze your credit if you’re not applying for loans or cards
- Report any suspicious mail, calls, or emails right away
Also read: How a $50K scam fooled a finance expert—and what it means for the rest of us
Not in Illinois? You still might have money waiting
Every US state has its own version of an unclaimed property program.
You can usually search online for free using the official state website.
Be wary of “finder” services that charge a fee—they’re unnecessary and sometimes fraudulent.
Also read: Discover the smart scam alert that could protect your bank account!
Why does money go unclaimed in the first place?
It’s easier than you’d think to forget about an old bank account or rebate card.
People move, change names, or misplace paperwork.
After a certain amount of time, businesses are legally required to hand unclaimed money over to the state.
The state then holds it until someone comes forward to claim it—no matter how long it’s been.
There’s nothing wrong with double-checking an unexpected letter.
But if you live in Illinois and get one about unclaimed funds, don’t toss it out without taking a closer look.
A small check could help cover groceries, gas, or a fun treat this summer.
Read next: Protect your life savings: The one red flag that could stop a bank scam before it starts
Have you ever found money through a state program? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your story.
