General Chat

I had a similar experience. I had a letter from 'heir hunters' and used them after doing a bit of research of my own. Numerous telephone calls from them later I received a letter from them detailing everything about this. I did get a fair sum and they took their commision but best of all I found out where my long lost sister was living and finally got back in touch with her after 50 odd years. This was remarkable as she is living in South Africa (which I knew) but did not have an address and nor did they but they found her within 4 days. I now have her, her 2 daughters and nice and nephew in my lovely family. Used some of the money to go and visit them for 7 weeks so I think 'heir hunters' are marvellous. :-D :-D :-D

If this firm thinks there's a lost/unclaimed inheritance, you can look, and claim for yourself, thereby not having to give the firm a percentage:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/unclaimed-estates-list

It helps if you know whose estate it is. Click on 'the list', and the names come up.

I had a call from two, a small company, who were the ones I went with in the end as they didn't charge VAT, they told me the name of the relative who had died, not a name I had on my tree.

The other ones were a name I knew from the TV, Luckily I knew the man who called me, I recognised his name and voice from the programme.

By the time the big firm called me a few hours later than the small company, I had found the relative, got them on my tree and double checked the address on 194 and Obituary online.

I also checked out the company itself on Google and the Bona Vacantia list.

Nobody visited me, I had no Bob Smith or Bob Barrett knocking on my door, just three or four phone calls and a few letters.

I went with a company rather doing it all myself, which with hindsight, I could have probably done, because my sister was also an heir and she would have done nothing towards it and got as much out of it as I did.

I didn't have to provide any certificates or prove who I was, the company found me through my GR tree.

The whole thing took about sixteen months to finalise.

M.

plus too dont call the nos they may have left but look up the number for yourself as a double check

I will ask her later when I call her , she hates it when I call if the soaps r on lol

If it's a legit company you should be able to find details of them online and call them .

I didnt think from watching the programme they gave out info on who had died at the first contact Ie they might say it was a man but not the relationship,they would want to establish that through asking questions on the family line

*takes note of new hidey hole for money pile* ;-)

Valerie, all I can suggest is someone trustworthy sits with her if she is visited, or phones the company that rang her to confirm they are legitimate.

I hope all goes well with your friend :-)

You might be able to help her with a little detective work yourself.

tanks kitty for the input, I have a friend shes old and fragile she got a call from someone ?? basically saying he wanted to come and see her, as her first cousin had passed and he left no will so he was trying to trace his relatives, as he had no children and his parents had passed away, so apart from some others cousins she was next in the blood line ?

you have to be carefull these days of scams I don't want her being taken for a mug

That's because they don't know about any family outside of close relatives Kitty, not like us.

Checks to see if Kitty is related >>>>>>moves money pile just incase..... :-D

Hello and welcome to the boards Valerie

I watch the programme............it's incredibly sad that so many people die alone or in care without a relative or friend in sight :-(

Not much help to you, but hopefully others will be more useful than I have been :-D

any one had the experience ??
any input would be great