NS& I Children's Bonus Bonds

Fletch3011

I'm just wondering if anyone has had trouble cashing in their old Children's Bonus Bonds?

My daughter has £250 worth of bonds bought for her in 2000 when she was born.  We never received updated statements over the years like we were meant to, so had sort of forgotten about them after all these years.  Upon finding the certificates, we have tried to cash them in, but keep being told that our 'Holder Number' no longer exists.  After chasing them up a number of times and receiving the 3rd letter from them, they have suddenly decided that the bond has been repaid and that all records have now been destroyed. 

There is no way that this has happened as the pay out should have been when she was 16, so only 4 years ago.  I am unsure what to do next and so wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience to ours? 

Thanks for any comments

Casatigeo

Hi - have you made any progress - we are in the same boat !

Invested in Children's Bonds back in early 90's - now when our daughters need the money we are trying to get payment and NS&! have sent a letter saying they were already repaid - but they have absolutely no evidence - they were not repaid at all - just registered a complaint. 

xylophone

Article from 2018

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-5430329/Do-cash-500m-haul-baby-bonds.html

Each five-year bond automatically renews on maturity for a further five years until a child reaches age 16 – unless National Savings is instructed to cash them in.

Parents receive annual interest statements and a reminder letter 30 days before maturity. But after the final maturity nudge there is no further correspondence.

The amount of money from unclaimed matured bonds – some of which may have sat mouldering for as long as two decades – is higher than that held in live bonds.

Our analysis found there is £640 million sitting in National Savings’ residual account. Though this is the resting place for all unclaimed maturing bonds, such as Savings Certificates, most of the balance comprises forgotten Children’s Bonds.

Customers can trace missing bonds through the service MyLostAccount.org.uk.

Post from 2023

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80272964/#Comment_80272964

Funnily enough I think I just cashed in my one of these this week! OP I apologise if you’ve already gone down this route but I thought I should ask- are you sure they haven’t moved it over to a residual account? If they have it’s a different form to fill in, over on the downloads and forms section of their website. Your daughter will probably have to fill it in, but it is online thankfully.

Swipe

xylophone said:

Article from 2018

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-5430329/Do-cash-500m-haul-baby-bonds.html

Each five-year bond automatically renews on maturity for a further five years until a child reaches age 16 – unless National Savings is instructed to cash them in.

Parents receive annual interest statements and a reminder letter 30 days before maturity. But after the final maturity nudge there is no further correspondence.

The amount of money from unclaimed matured bonds – some of which may have sat mouldering for as long as two decades – is higher than that held in live bonds.

Our analysis found there is £640 million sitting in National Savings’ residual account. Though this is the resting place for all unclaimed maturing bonds, such as Savings Certificates, most of the balance comprises forgotten Children’s Bonds.

Customers can trace missing bonds through the service MyLostAccount.org.uk.

Post from 2023

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80272964/#Comment_80272964

Funnily enough I think I just cashed in my one of these this week! OP I apologise if you’ve already gone down this route but I thought I should ask- are you sure they haven’t moved it over to a residual account? If they have it’s a different form to fill in, over on the downloads and forms section of their website. Your daughter will probably have to fill it in, but it is online thankfully.

The form may well be online but then they'll send you a witness signature form through the post that you'll have to fill in and get someone else to sign and then send it back at your own expense. 

trevortheturkey

We are in the same situation. Has anyone made any progress please

Mancmo

Hello. I'm rather late to the party but I am also trying to get the money out of two bonds (Issue B&C) bought in 1992 by my late father for my daughter. They will have matured fully in 2013. I've called, filled out forms, emailed and requested a trace and withdrawal from a residual account and threatened them with the Financial Ombudsman. In July I received a cheque for £100 described as "capital repayment". Even if I was going to accept this, it is not a repayment of all the capital invested.  There was no explanation. I've written back, requesting an explanation and stating that they have 4 weeks to sort this out or I will go to the ombudsman. 
Does anyone have any similar experience? Or experience with the ombudsman?

itsarichmansworld_62

Even later to the party … we have had the same response - having sent certificate of investment - they say repaid.  We did not.  Are trying the residual funds route, but how did others get on esp with financial ombudsman.  I thought the day protection act was to protect the individual … Thanks.

itsarichmansworld_62

Sorry just to add we did not get or reclaim any money … 

itsarichmansworld_62

Mancmo said:

Hello. I'm rather late to the party but I am also trying to get the money out of two bonds (Issue B&C) bought in 1992 by my late father for my daughter. They will have matured fully in 2013. I've called, filled out forms, emailed and requested a trace and withdrawal from a residual account and threatened them with the Financial Ombudsman. In July I received a cheque for £100 described as "capital repayment". Even if I was going to accept this, it is not a repayment of all the capital invested.  There was no explanation. I've written back, requesting an explanation and stating that they have 4 weeks to sort this out or I will go to the ombudsman. 
Does anyone have any similar experience? Or experience with the ombudsman?

Did you get any joy from the ombudsman.  Considering our next steps …