Tracing deceased relative's old Post Office account.

TheWoodler

I'm trying to trace an old PO account opened by a deceased relative before 1969 (when I understand PO accounts were taken over by National Savings (NS&I).) As there was a positive balance, when the passbook which I have as evidence was last used with no sign of cancellation, there is probably a little something left in it.  

Here begins a slightly circular saga: NS&I refer you to mylostaccount.co.uk, which is also the suggestion in the MSE page on this topic. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/reclaim-lost-assets-free/  So I go to mylostaccount.co.uk, fill out the online form, which asks you to select from a list of typical products at an early stage, including NS&I, and then drills down for more details, asking you to select from a list of banks - there are all sorts of defunct and existing banks in that list, but not the Post Office or NS&I (or any permutation of the latter). In their FAQs they say they cover both the Post Office and NS&I . . . https://www.mylostaccount.org.uk/faqs

I ring up NS&I and they refer me back to mylostaccount . . . They suggest filling out a paper form or writing in. You'd think this sort of thing would be easier online in this day and age . . .  

Has anyone had any success in tracing anything before 1969? or had any success with this same ping-pong between institutions? It's less the money, probably peanuts even with 60 years' interest, more the principle! 

MovingForwards

Just follow what it says on their website

https://www.nsandi.com/help/lost-touch-with-nsandi/track-lost-investments

NS&I are not the most futuristic provider, but you have to work with what they have.

TheWoodler

No, they’re certainly not anywhere near 21st century, that’s for sure - consistent with the fact they weren’t at all bothered or interested that they point to mylostaccount.co.uk and vice versa. 

I’ll be following those instructions - but it’ll have to be a letter, which they say they accept on that page, if people don’t have a printer (certainly true in my case). I’ll outdo them in the ‘so last century’ stakes! Weirdly appropriate in the circumstances, I suppose!