NS&I update as customers say Premium Bonds are ‘missing’ from account | Personal Finance | Finance

NS&I has issued an update amid reports of Premium Bonds customers missing Bonds from their accounts.

A saver got in touch with the provider to query: “I recently sent you details of my Premium Bonds, from 1957. I advised five different numbers, but only two are in my account, how do I add the three missing numbers to my account?”

All Premium Bonds remain valid from as far back as when they first launched in 1956 and all of them go into the monthly draw.

Each £1 Bond has an equal chance of winning a prize and so you can increase your chances of winning by buying more Bonds.

NS&I said in response: “If details of these other Bond numbers were provided to us previously, we’d suggest you please call us and our telephony team can look into this further for you.”

The group encouraged the saver to give them a call on 08085 007 007 to resolve the issue.

Another customer recently got in touch with NS&I as they were trying to track down some Bonds.

They queried: “Whilst checking my account today I had a sudden thought that my father held Premium Bonds. He died 13 years ago and I have no paperwork. Can I retrieve his Bonds?”

In response, NS&I set out the process for how to claim his Bonds. The group said: “I am sorry to hear of your loss, to notify us of your father’s passing and make a claim on any holding, we would need you to complete our bereavement claim form with all of the details you do have.”

The team also sent over a link to a form entitled ‘When an NS&I customer dies’.

Included in the form is this important information: “We will let you know if we need a Grant of Representation (also known as a Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration) once we receive your completed form.

“We may ask for this if the customer’s total NS&I savings are £5,000 or over. The Director of Savings also reserves the right to request a Grant of Representation for savings of any value.”

Details that have to be included in the form include information about the deceased person’s savings, if there is a will and where you want their funds to be paid.

Each customer can hold up to £50,000 in Premium Bonds. You have to purchase at least £25 worth when buying more.