Advice needed: Indemnity for Lost Certificate

Bearders

I was wondering whether anyone could give me some advice, as I seem to be going around in circles.

I am unemployed at the moment and it some financial difficulty. I have some shares that I am looking to sell. These shares were given to me through work for one of the companies that we dealt with.

I approached the registrar, as was under the impression they held the certificate on my behalf, but was told this had been posted to me in December 2009. I have no recollection of asking for or receiving the certificate.

They can issue a new certificate, but as the shares are worth approx £4000, they need an Indemnity form countersigned. They will do this for £125.00, but I can not afford this. It can be signed by a UK bank or insurance company, but I have banked with Halifax plc all my life and they do not countersigned anything unfortunately. I also tried the company directly through one of their directors, but even he would not agree due to the small risk of anyone misusing the original certificate.

Has anyone any advice or where I may get this countersigned?

Malthusian

Save up until you can afford the £125. Or use Wonga if you're that desperate and don't have a credit card and none of your acquaintances will lend you £125 until you can encash the £4,000.

What company is it? The shares probably aren't going anywhere (unless you're about to tell me it's an AIM-listed oil exploration company).

Bearders

Sorry, but not very helpful. When you are trying to survive on £317 per month, saving for £125 is difficult. I need to sell the shares to try and get back on my feet a bit.

Just wanted any advice if people knew anyone that would be able to countersign the indemnity.

IanManc

Bearders wrote: »

Sorry, but not very helpful. When you are trying to survive on £317 per month, saving for £125 is difficult. I need to sell the shares to try and get back on my feet a bit.

Just wanted any advice if people knew anyone that would be able to countersign the indemnity.

No one will sign the indemnity because they'd be financially liable if someone tried to misuse the missing certificate. The £125 being sought is for insurance against that possibility. You're going to have to pay it if you want to sell the shares.

I suspect you're going to say that's "not very helpful" too but it is the truth.

Malthusian

Bearders wrote: »

Sorry, but not very helpful. When you are trying to survive on £317 per month, saving for £125 is difficult.

Which is why I listed two other options. If you just wanted someone to say "oh dear, poor you" then say so.

Wonga may be incredibly expensive but if you're that desperate for the £4,000, it would cost £31 to borrow the money for a month, on top of the £125 you have to pay anyway. Obviously that's still extremely expensive but if you urgently need the £4,000 the extra £31 won't matter much compared to the £4,000. Other payday loan sharks are available. Or if you have a credit card that would achieve the same thing at much lower cost.

£317 a month? Are you claiming all the benefits you're entitled to? The Benefits board may be able to help with that.