Solicitor has lost passport, proof of address and personal bank statments

sugarsnapgirl

Hi

My solicitor wanted me to send my original passport, proof of address, personal bank statements and proof of my 10 percent deposit. I sent this by special delivery. It was returned by recorded delivery. A card was left as I was not at home. I went on line to Royal Mail and requested redelivery on Saturday. Nothing arrived on Saturday. As it was only sent recorded delivery I am unable to trace it and the post office have no record of it. Do you know who is responsible? The solicitor has contacted her mail room who contacted the Royal Mail. They said they have to wait 15 days. I sent it by special delivery so that it could get tracked but she said it was their policy to send documents by recorded delivery. I am extremely worried as it is my passport and other personal documents. Any help appreciated.

pawlala

You mean Royal Mail has lost them, rather than your solicitor? If you have the card why not just pop into your local holding office and collect it? or did you already do that, I couldnt tell from your post. (you'll need ANOTHER form of proof of identity though, driving licence)

moneypuddle

Its Royal mail who has 'lost' it not your solicitor. Since it was Saturday and its on Monday I wouldn't start worrying just yet!

kingstreet

I would not send documentation like this in any other way than special delivery. I recently conducted an appointment at a client's home in Derbyshire, needing to take with me a number of payslips, bank statements and evidence of identity with me.

After copying and certifying them, I returned them the following day by special delivery. I also routinely seal the package in the presence of our local PO counter staff so there is no question about the contents.

poppysarah

I took mine in. Waited whilst they did what they had to and took them home with me.

I wouldn't entrust that particular bundle of 'ID theft" in an envelope

googler

First off, why hire a solicitor who's so far away you have to post things?

second, why commit them all to one package? if you HAVE to do this, do it in three separate packages.

custardy

sugarsnapgirl wrote: »

Hi

My solicitor wanted me to send my original passport, proof of address, personal bank statements and proof of my 10 percent deposit. I sent this by special delivery. It was returned by recorded delivery. A card was left as I was not at home. I went on line to Royal Mail and requested redelivery on Saturday. Nothing arrived on Saturday. As it was only sent recorded delivery I am unable to trace it and the post office have no record of it. Do you know who is responsible? The solicitor has contacted her mail room who contacted the Royal Mail. They said they have to wait 15 days. I sent it by special delivery so that it could get tracked but she said it was their policy to send documents by recorded delivery. I am extremely worried as it is my passport and other personal documents. Any help appreciated.

okay,lets break it down
you say the Post Office
do you mean the Royal Mail delivery office?

arabellaB

Too bad to hear that. He should report it to the police.

chappers

Don't go panicking yet.
Firstly if it was sent Recorded Delivery then it is traceable as the item does have a unique reference ask your solicitor for this. secondly I have had a few parcels and letters go missing for a couple of days in the past and they have always turned up.
I have also completly lost (well it actually turned up over 18 months later after a trip to Northern Ireland) a Special Delivery.

custardy

chappers wrote: »

Don't go panicking yet.
Firstly if it was sent Recorded Delivery then it is traceable as the item does have a unique reference ask your solicitor for this. secondly I have had a few parcels and letters go missing for a couple of days in the past and they have always turned up.
I have also completly lost (well it actually turned up over 18 months later after a trip to Northern Ireland) a Special Delivery.

traceable in what way?

rpc

chappers wrote: »

Don't go panicking yet.
Firstly if it was sent Recorded Delivery then it is traceable as the item does have a unique reference ask your solicitor for this.

Recorded is not traceable - it is handled as regular first class but requires a signature on delivery. The only tracing is the proof of delivery. Special delivery *is* tracked throughout the whole process and does not use the same system as first class.

While the loss has been caused by Royal Mail, I think the solicitor was probably negligent. I don't think the insured value of recorded is enough to cover a replacment passport, while special delivery would cover this (leaving aside the ID-theft issue).

Chase the solicitor and Royal Mail - it may yet turn up. Have you been down to the sorting office? If it doesn't appear, I'd be after your solicitor for the cost of replacement documents.