Have you ever forgotten about a bank account or investment that you had, only to remember it years later? Or have you inherited an estate and suspect that there may be unclaimed assets associated with it? If so, you’re not alone. In the UK, there are billions of pounds of unclaimed assets waiting to be found. In this article, we’ll provide you with some tips on how to find lost money, bank accounts, and missing cash in the UK.

Search For Lost Accounts

The first step to finding lost money or bank accounts is to search for them. The British Bankers’ Association, Building Societies Association, and National Savings and Investments have a joint service called My Lost Accounts. This free service can help you find lost bank and building society accounts and premium bonds. You can also contact individual banks and building societies directly to check if you have any accounts with them.

Check Unclaimed Assets

If you suspect that you may have unclaimed assets, you can check the Unclaimed Assets Register. This is a free service provided by Experian that can help you find lost bank accounts, investments, pensions, and life insurance policies. It’s important to note that the service only includes assets that have been voluntarily registered, so it may not include all unclaimed assets.

Search For Unclaimed Estates

If you’ve inherited an estate and suspect that there may be unclaimed assets associated with it, you can search for unclaimed estates through the Bona Vacantia division of the Government Legal Department. This division deals with estates of people who have died intestate (without a will) and with no known heirs.

Check With The National Lottery

If you’ve ever played the National Lottery, you can check if you have any unclaimed prizes on the National Lottery website. The site provides information on unclaimed prizes for the past 180 days, so it’s worth checking even if you haven’t played recently.

Contact The Treasury

The UK Treasury holds unclaimed estates that have been left for over 30 years. You can contact them to check if you have any unclaimed assets. However, be aware that they may ask you to provide proof of your identity and relationship to the deceased.

Consider Using A Tracing Agent

If you’ve tried all of the above options and are still having difficulty finding lost money or assets, you can consider using a tracing agent. These are private companies that specialize in tracing lost assets and can help you locate your missing money or assets. However, be aware that they may charge a fee for their services.
In conclusion, there are various ways to find lost money, bank accounts, and missing cash in the UK. By using the resources and services available to you, you may be able to locate unclaimed assets that you didn’t know existed. Just be cautious of scams and only use reputable sources when searching for lost money or assets.

How do I know if I have unclaimed assets in the UK?

There are several ways to find out if you have unclaimed assets in the UK. You can search for lost accounts using the My Lost Account service or contact individual banks and building societies. You can also check the Unclaimed Assets Register or search for unclaimed estates through the Bona Vacantia division of the Government Legal Department. If you’ve ever played the National Lottery, you can also check for unclaimed prizes on their website.

Will I have to pay a fee to claim my lost money or assets?

It depends on how you go about claiming your lost money or assets. Some services, like My Lost Account and the Unclaimed Assets Register, are free to use. However, if you use a tracing agent to help you locate your missing money or assets, they may charge a fee for their services. Additionally, if you need to provide proof of your identity or relationship to the deceased when claiming an unclaimed estate, there may be costs associated with obtaining the necessary documents.