If you’ve discovered that your old dividends or shares have been transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF), you’re not alone. Many investors lose track of their dividends due to address changes, unclaimed warrants, or inactive demat accounts — only to find out later that the amount has been moved to the government’s IEPF account. The good news is, you can still claim dividends from IEPF and recover your shares with proper documentation and procedure.
Here’s a quick guide to help you understand how it works:
- Check Unclaimed Amounts: Visit the official IEPF website or your company’s investor relations page to verify if your dividends or shares have been transferred to IEPF. You can search using your name, PAN, or folio number.
- Prepare the Required Documents: You’ll need identity proof (PAN, Aadhaar), address proof, cancelled cheque, and original share certificates (if physical). In case of a deceased shareholder, a legal heir certificate or succession certificate is mandatory.
- File Form IEPF-5 Online: Go to the IEPF portal and fill out Form IEPF-5 with accurate details. Download and print the acknowledgement after submission.
- Submit Documents to the Company’s Nodal Officer: Send the physical copy of the form along with all documents to the company’s registered office. They will verify your claim and forward it to the IEPF Authority.
- Track Your Claim Status: You can check your claim status online. Once approved, your unclaimed dividend and shares are credited back to your demat or bank account.
If your claim is delayed or rejected, don’t worry — you can reapply with corrected documents or seek professional help.
Have you tried filing a claim with IEPF recently? Share your experience or ask your questions below — it might help others going through the same process!
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TaxTMI