How to claim 'lost' money

Before PAN (Permanent Account Number) cards existed, paper ledgers and physical documentation ruled the financial world. Tracking down misplaced or forgotten investments was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack. But fast-forward to the present day, reclaiming these investments has become more streamlined, thanks to modern systems like the IEPF and the recently-launched UDGAM. So, let's look at both the platforms in greater detail and how they can help you retrieve your lost money. Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) Although IEPF's primary objective is to promote investor education, awareness and protection, the fund is also associated with several stock market-related investments, including: Shares of public companies Unclaimed dividends Matured debentures Application money due for refund Deposits matured under a company's deposit scheme (except banks) After seven years of remaining unclaimed, the abandoned money gets transferred to IEPF. Companies move these funds to give the owners a chance to recover them. So, if you want to claim your lost money via the IEPF platform, here's a step-by-step guide. Steps to claim company stocks through IEPF 1. To check if there are any unclaimed shares or dividends belonging to a family member, visit here. 2. Input your family member's name in the search field. While the folio and DP account numbers are not mandatory, they can help refine your search. 3. C

This article was originally published on December 11, 2023.