I have received a letter from you but am not the person you are looking for. What should I do?
If you receive a letter from us but are not the rightful owner of the unclaimed funds, please let us know. We will update our records to ensure that no further correspondence is directed to you. If you know how to contact the rightful owner (or the next of kin), please advise us or forward our letter onto them so we can correspond with them directly.
Where does the money come from?
The money you are entitled to may relate to unpresented cheques, dormant bank accounts, superannuation funds, rent or council bonds – the list is endless. Privacy restrictions prevent us from disclosing the full details of the funds until we can confirm that you are the rightful owner.
What happens if I do nothing about these unclaimed funds?
If you choose to take no action, the funds will remain unclaimed. After a period of time (which varies depending on where the funds are being held), the funds will eventually be absorbed into the Government’s consolidated revenue and no future recovery action is possible.
What happens if I employ Nationwide Claims Service but the funds are not recovered?
Simply put, we only get paid when you get the money. So if for any reason the claim is not successful, you do not pay us.This is meant to work in your favour and to minimise any risks for you.
How long does it take to recover my funds?
For funds held in Australia, the process normally takes between four to six weeks. For funds located in other countries, the process can take several months, and time frames can vary. As your claim progresses, we will keep you informed on its status.
What is a certified copy and why it is required ?
A certified copy is a photocopy of an original document that has been signed and verified as a “true and correct copy” by a Justice of the Peace or similar. Certified copies are required to ensure that all documents submitted to support your claim are authentic. The person certifying your documents will want to compare the original to the photocopy to ensure that they are the same, so be sure to take the originals with you.
Who can certify your documents?
Different government bodies allow different people to certify documents. A Justice of the Peace (JP) is one commonly accepted authority. Others who may be able to certify your documents include pharmacists, doctors, dentists, veterinary surgeons, bank managers, school principals, solicitors or police officers. Please refer to your letter for the groups relevant to your claim.
What steps do you take to protect my privacy?
Maintaining your privacy by keeping your personal details secure is VERY important to us. That is why we have the following processes:
All mail is received into a locked post office box. That way no one can fraudantly access your documents.
Documents are kept in a locked filing cabinet within a secure building.
After the claim process is complete, we shred your personal details and advise you in writing when this is done.
We are particularly careful about keeping your personal detail secure, treating them how we would want others to treat our details.
What if I have further questions?
If you have any questions, you can contact us via email on [email protected], or call us on 02 8003 7256
