Mysterious problem of Kev’s Premium Bonds

KEV MORAN, of Wallasey, Merseyside, couldn’t understand why he didn’t have certificates for £120 worth of Premium Bonds he’d bought in 2009.

He had a receipt and the reference numbers of the bonds.

He got in touch with NS&I to ask if he could have the certificates sent to him – and was horrified when they said yes, the numbers he gave were valid bonds, but no, they didn’t belong to him.

They wouldn’t give any further information.

Who’s name were they in then? NS&I refused to say. But Kev clearly remembered buying them, although it was seven years ago, and had receipts to prove it.

He got in touch with Raw Deal. NS&I, at first, said it wouldn’t talk to us either – the bonds weren’t in Raw Deal’s name, after all.

We asked for a little common sense to be applied – Kev was beginning to think he was the victim of some sort of devious fraud! After some gentle prodding, NS&I’s customer service team contacted Kev, asked him for details, and an explanation was worked out.

The bonds were in his nephew's name.

Ah yes, NOW Key remembered! He'd taken his mother to buy bonds for her grandchildren, Kev’s nephews. His mum, sadly, has been afflicted with dementia and has no recollection of the transaction.

NS&I clearly has a legal obligation and a duty to not disclose what could potentially be sensitive information to just anyone.

But it shouldn’t take Raw Deal to point out that there was obviously a problem and with a little effort a way should, and could, be found to resolve matters.

Kev said: “It is only due to your involvement that I was led to an answer, as previously no one would tell me anything.

“I am most grateful for your help and glad that The Sunday Post is around to fix things like this.”