How to Recover shares and money lying with the IEPF?

Many investors have purchased shares in various companies but have not claimed them. This could be due to a variety of factors, including dividends, application money, and matured deposits/debentures that have not been claimed by investors in several years being transferred to the IEPF. The Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) was established by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to ensure that unclaimed shares are transferred to and received by the correct person. Investors can request a refund from IEPF by submitting an application on the IEPF website (www.iepf.gov.in). In the event of the investor's death, such an application may be made by the investor or his or her legal heir. The claimant's application is forwarded to the company's nodal officer, who submits the claimant's verification report to the IEPFA. Following that, IEPFA processes refund claims.

Who Can Apply?

Any shareholder whose unclaimed shares have been transferred to the IEPF may request a refund from the IEPF Authority. A claimant, however, can only make one consolidated claim against a company in a fiscal year. The data from the various Folios from the same company should be included in the aggregated claim. Before filing an IEPF claim with the authorities, the claimant must first ensure that the company completes the share transmission procedure and issues an entitlement letter to the registered shareholder's legal heir, nominee, or successor.

What is the Procedure to claim Refund?

• To file a refund claim, go to the IEPF-5 webform and carefully read the instructions provided with the web form before filling out the form.
• After you have completed the form, submit it. Following successful submission, an acknowledgement with the SRN will be generated. Please save the SRN for future form tracking.
• After uploading the form, print a copy of the duly completed IEPF-5 and the acknowledgement.
• Submit the original indemnity bond, a copy of the acknowledgement, and the IEPF-5 form, along with the other documents listed in the Form IEPF-5, to the company's Nodal Officer (IEPF) at its registered office.
• Claim forms that have been completed in all aspects will be verified by the concerned company, and refunds will be released to claimants' accounts via electronic transfer based on the company's verification report.