Premium Bond Prizes

[Maydup]

Do we have to check numbers and claim our prizes? I have assumed they'd write to me if i won. I will have to dig out the bonds and put the numbers through the checker website, but do I need to do this each week?

I ask because a man in Suffolk has won £1,000,000 and the prize needs claiming. The bond was bought in April 2012 so why do they not have his details? Surely we're all on a database. If you think it could be you shout!

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-2531775/Suffolk-man-latest-Premium-Bond-millionaire.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

[boxtops]

They contact you - but lots go unclaimed because people move and don't notify their new addresses, or die and nobody knew they had bonds.

[factor-fiction]

Maybe he has moved and not notified them so they can't trace him

[Graham-W]

The article doesn't say the Suffolk man hasn't claimed his prize. It says a lot of prizes go unclaimed. It's up to premium bond holders to keep their details up to date. That way they can contact you if you win.

[jamesnan]

If you have moved and not informed the premium bond office, then they will not be able to inform you. My winnings are automatically re-invested, but I always get an updated list, and my daughter's winnings are sent through to her as and when she wins in the form of a cheque. You can easily check your investment by going on to the NHS website, and put in your investor number, not the premium bond numbers.

[ubasses]

As long as you have kept them up to date with your address, you will automatically be sent a cheque. If you go onto the NSANDI web site and enter your bondholder number around the 4th of the month you will learn of any prize for the month however many Bonds you hold.

[Maydup]

Oh well, still not a winner in all of my 53 years!

[hc4361]

The drawer is monthly, not weekly. I get an email from them when I win.

[Jomlett]

I receive small prizes several times a year but never more than £100. The cheques always arrive 2-3rd weeks in the month so I know it's a small sum. If I receive that oh-so-recognisable envelope on the first week of the month...It had better be the BIG ONE!

[anneasquith]

we have bonds, but cant locate them, is there any way to check if there have been any wins, TIA

[hc4361]

There is, Anne - here
http://www.nsandi.com/contact-us-helpful-information-faqs-how-do-i-track-down-unclaimed-or-forgotten-savings

[anneasquith]

thanks hc,

[mrs.chappie]

I get my winnings paid directly into my bank account. This is much more convenient than receiving a cheque as there's no HSBC in my village.

I also get an email telling me I have won a prize (usually 25 quid).

[Ric.ror]

Nothing for me this month
I demand a re-count

[jamesnan]

If you have not won in 53 years, perhaps you should cash them all in and buy new ones, we win usually about 4 times a year, as does my daughter.

[Maydup]

I bought some new bonds last year and will probably buy a few more this year. But i will keep the originals as they are a keepsake and not worth cashing in to be honest. Good luck to everyone, hope 2014 is a winning year!

[CokeTulip]

You too Maydup.. Good luck

[starone]

Had some since it started and never won a thing. Same with the lottery. Used to spend £7 a week on them never saw any of it back. Got the wrong colour eyes or something.

[grasscarp]

They will write to you and send cheque. I now changed to email notification and pay winnings direct to bank account. This can be set up online.

[dzug2]

you should cash them all in and buy new ones.....

The only effect of that is you will miss at least one month's draw. Your chances otherwise remain identical

[Old_Geezer]

I had some bought me when I was a kid. Not even sure I can locate all the paperwork now. Never been contacted, even though the house I grew up in is still in the family's procession.