UNCLAIMED share certificates can be retrieved from the Registrars for a small fee.
Registrars must not dispose of unclaimed money for 12 years. If you know which companies you — or your deceased relatives — may have held shares in, contact the company and ask the name of their Registrar. You can then request your share certificates.
Many companies have undergone a change of identity. If you find share certificate for a company which is no longer listed, you can ask Companies House in Cardiff (02920 380928).
Guidance is also available from the Unclaimed Assets Register which will hunt down unclaimed shares, lost dividends, unclaimed insurance payouts and personal pensions at a fee of £15 per search.
Since its inception in 1999, the Register has helped claimants to recover more than £1.3m.
The British Bankers Association website contains a comprehensive list of merged banks with the banking groups that they now belong to.
The Dormant Account Scheme operated by the Building Societies Association, 3 Savile Row, London W1S 3PB, will send you claim forms. A downloadable copy of the form is also available at www.bsa.org.uk
If you have moved house and wonder if there are any unclaimed Premium Bond prizes in your name - or the names of deceased relatives - you can ask Ernie for help by writing to National Savings, Blackpool FY3 9YP.
For help tracking down lost National Savings Certificates, write toNational Savings, Durham DH99 1NS or call 0845 964 5000.
Anyone seeking help tracking down outstanding cash in occupational pensions schemes should call the Pension Schemes Registry on 0191 225 6393.
