It is a staggering figure, but estimates suggest around £3 billion is currently owed to UK investors from unclaimed shares and dividends.

In the chaos of moving house, getting married, or dealing with paperwork, it is incredibly easy to lose track of an asset. In fact, it is estimated that between 2% and 5% of a company’s shareholders have “gone away”—meaning they have moved address or passed away without the company knowing.

The “12-Year Rule” Warning While Companies House regulations state that your actual shares cannot be cancelled just because you can’t be traced, your dividends are a different story.

Most companies have a clause in their articles allowing them to retain and forfeit any dividends that remain unclaimed after 12 years. Once this deadline passes, that cash is often lost forever.

The “Takeover” Trap The risk increases if a company you own is bought out. When a takeover becomes “unconditional,” shareholders are usually forced to sell.

• If you don’t respond, your money goes onto a “Dissenters’ Register.”
• It sits there for 12 years.
• After 12 years, the money is transferred to the Accountant General of the Supreme Court.
• Note: While you can still claim the share value from the Court, any unclaimed dividend payments associated with it are usually lost after the 12-year mark.

Don’t Let Your Money Expire If you think you might be part of that “missing 5%,” don’t wait for the 12-year clock to run out. Use Divica to check your status today.