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Recovery of Unclaimed Shares: Step-by-Step Process
Did you or your family ever invest in shares and forget about them? Or maybe you lost the physical share certificate years ago?
If yes, then this guide on Recovery of Unclaimed Shares in chennai is exactly what you need. Every year, crores of rupees worth of shares go unclaimed in India. These forgotten investments are not lost forever—you can get them back!
Let’s understand how the recovery of shares from IEPF works, who can claim them, and why services like share claimers and share recovery firms in Chennai are becoming so important today.
What is Recovery of Unclaimed Shares?
Recovery of Unclaimed Shares means reclaiming the shares that were once owned by a person but remained unclaimed for a long time. These shares may have been forgotten, lost, or never transferred to legal heirs after the death of the original holder.
All these cases result in unclaimed shares, which eventually get transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) if not claimed for 7 years.
When Are Shares Transferred to IEPF?
According to government rules, if dividends on shares remain unclaimed for 7 continuous years, then those shares are moved to the IEPF. This is done to safeguard the interest of the investor and store the shares in a secure fund until the rightful owner or heir claims them.
As per reports, over ₹37,000 crore worth of unclaimed shares and dividends have been transferred to IEPF!
How to Know If You Have Unclaimed Shares?
Many people in India, especially senior citizens, invested in shares decades ago and forgot about them. If you or your family have:
- Old share certificates
- Unclaimed dividends
- Forgotten investments
- Never received communication from the company
Then you might have unclaimed shares in your name. To check, visit the IEPF website and search using your name or company details.
How to Recover Unclaimed Shares from IEPF?
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for IEPF shares recovery:
Step 1: Check Eligibility
- Search the IEPF database for your unclaimed investment.
- Check if shares or dividends are listed in your or your ancestor’s name.
Step 2: Collect Required Documents
- PAN Card & Aadhaar Card
- Original share certificate (if available)
- Death certificate (if the shareholder is deceased)
- Legal Heir Certificate / Succession Certificate / Will
- Bank passbook or canceled cheque
- IEPF Form 5 acknowledgment copy
Step 3: Fill IEPF Form 5
- Visit the IEPF website and fill the Form 5 online.
- Ensure all details match the documents.
Step 4: Submit Documents to Company
- Send physical copies of Form 5 and all documents to the concerned company’s Nodal Officer.
Step 5: Wait for Approval
- Once verified, the company forwards your request to IEPF.
After review, recovery of unclaimed shares is done and shares are transferred to your Demat account.
Who Can Claim These Shares?
The following people are eligible for share recovery from IEPF:
- Registered shareholder
- Nominee of the shareholder
- Legal heir/successor of the deceased shareholder
If you are a legal heir, the share transmission must be completed by the company before you can file the claim with IEPF.
Why Recovery of Unclaimed Shares Is Important?
- Protects your financial rights
- Retrieves lost investments
- Helps families claim their inherited wealth
- Prevents misuse of unclaimed investments
- Encourages responsible ownership
In short, recovering the unclaimed shares and dividends ensures no rightful investor or heir is left behind.
Why Take Help from a Share Recovery Firm?
The process of iepf recovery can be lengthy and complicated. A professional share recovery firm in Chennai like Share Claimers can help you with:
- Preparing all legal documents
- Filing IEPF Form 5 correctly
- Communicating with companies & IEPF authority
- Fast-tracking your case
These experts simplify the entire shares recovery process, especially if the documents are old or lost.
Benefits of Shares Moved to IEPF
Even though shares are moved to IEPF, they’re not lost. There are many benefits to this process:
Investor Protection
Ensures shares are safely stored until claimed.
Financial Inclusion
Encourages awareness and better financial literacy.
Transparency
Companies are accountable for your money.
Economic Growth
Utilizes idle funds for nation-building.
Investor Welfare
Unclaimed money is used for investor education.
Final Thoughts
Recovery of Unclaimed Shares is not just about getting back lost money—it’s about restoring ownership and financial dignity. Whether you are dealing with physical shares forgotten investment, old documents, or inheritance issues, claiming your rightful investment is your right.
With growing awareness and support from share recovery services, you don’t have to worry alone. Contact experts like Share Claimers, and they’ll take care of the rest!
Frequently Asked Questions
If dividends on shares are not claimed for 7 years, the shares are moved to IEPF.
Yes. Many firms like Share Claimers offer share recovery services and help with lost shares recovery.
To obtain the Unclaimed Dividends – Visit shareclaimers.com> complete the E-Form IEPF-5> Then upload the required document> pay> and finally receive your claim.
Damaged physical documents, improper execution, and the use of illegal methods are the most common barriers to claiming securities. To avoid these pitfalls, it is advised to Convert Physical Shares to Demat.
Here is the complete guide on How to Claim IEPF Shares. To claim the Unclaimed Shares IEPF, submit a duly filled claim form to the company’s registrar along with necessary documents like identity proof, address proof, and share-related details. Ensure compliance with the prescribed guidelines and deadlines outlined by the company and the IEPF authority. Timely and accurate submission facilitates the efficient processing of claims, enabling rightful shareholders to reclaim their shares held in the IEPF account due to unclaimed dividends or matured deposits.
After claiming shares, it takes about 60 days to receive them from the IEPF.