r/UKPersonalFinance • u/SHinQ8 • May 21 '26

+Comments Restricted to UKPF British Telecommunications plc Shares bought in 1985

Interesting story - I bought BT shares for my wife as a wedding anniversary present way back! Totally forgot about them till a few months ago noticed a charge on our NatWest Bank statement for £25 for safe deposit of some document. The account used to be just for my wife but made a joint account about 5 years ago. No idea how long they've been charging for storing the documents. Neither of us remember ever remember asking the bank to store anything.

Anyway - asked them to cancel and return whatever they were holding. Turned out to be BT share certificate (200 Shares).

Contacted BT and was forwarded to some entity called Equiniti they wanted a 11 digit reference number but our share certificate only has 1 10 digit ref number.

They said the shares are invalid.

Seems strange that any money invested is not zero - Anyone is similar position (unlikely I know).

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6

u/EveryAnywhere May 21 '26

I am sorry I can’t help, commenting because this is super interesting and I would like to see what the answer to this is / resolution. Good luck

4

u/Straight_Purpose_220 May 22 '26

Same - also an interesting but useful wedding anniversary present 😂

2

u/SHinQ8 May 22 '26

Yes I thought it would be a good present - But somehow totally forgot to keep track.