CashNews.co
A Premium Bonds customer was shocked to receive a message out of the blue saying their account had been closed.
A saver reached out to NS&I over X after receiving the surprise notification. They asked: “I have received a Premium Bond prize cheque and the attached slip says the account is now closed. What does this mean?”
Customers can choose to be sent out a cheque in the post for their winnings, or the funds can be paid into their bank account or reinvested in buying more Bonds.
NS&I responded to first ask them for more details about their situation. A representative said: “Is this an unclaimed prize you’ve received?
“This could have been an unclaimed prize we have found from a now closed Premium Bond holding. Did you receive anything else in the letter that would indicate to this?”
The saver said that it was an unclaimed prize that the cheque was for, adding: “I was just worried that the bonds themselves were being closed.”
NS&I then informed the person that if they had their holder’s number, they could register for the online and phone service.
They sent them a link to a webpage where they could do this. New customers opening an account with NS&I are automatically registered for the service.
NS&I explained: “You’d be able to easily view what accounts you have with us online once registered.”
The Premium Bonds customer went on to explain that they had already applied for an online account with NS&I.
The savings giant then asked: “To clarify, have you recently registered for the Online and Phone service, or do you already have access to your investments online?”
The saver then said they had recently applied and were “awaiting details” for their account to arrive.
NS&I said in response: “OK, once you have received your Online and Phone service information to log in, you will be able to view and manage your accounts with ease.”
A person can hold up to £50,000 in Premium Bonds with each £1 Bond eligible to go into the monthly draw having an equal chance of being paired with a prize.