Lost Accounts

Top tips when searching for a dormant account

If you can, submit the claim online. This enables mylostaccount.org.uk to forward the claim to the relevant institutions with minimal administration and assists the internal search made by the institutions.
If only one institution is involved, we recommend that you make your claim direct to them. But we are happy for you to use this central service if it is easier for you to do so.
Remember that an account opened many years ago may not have been in your current married name.
Remember that the account may have been opened while you were at a previous address.
If known, give the sort code and account number. To put your search into context, there are 150 million bank and building society accounts in the UK and anywhere up to half a million dormant or lost accounts.
Accounts opened by parents and grandparents on your behalf may be jointly in their names; where relevant, they may also be in your maiden name.
If the account holder is still alive we will need to establish that you have their express authority to undertake the search and/or the appropriate legal authority.
Information about account types and passbooks helps narrow down the search.
Club and charity accounts may be in the name of the club or charity and are best dealt with through direct contact with the specific bank or building society.
The institution will ask you to verify your ID in the event of an account being found.

If you live overseas and don’t visit the UK, or cannot otherwise visit a branch, special arrangements may need to be made in support of your proving your ID.
You can make a quick and ready search for outstanding NS&I Premium Bond prizes online using the prize checker at www.nsandi.com
Do not pay a fee of any kind to undertake the search for your old bank, building society or NS&I account. This service is FREE if you apply direct to the institution concerned or through this website (www.mylostaccount.org.uk).

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