Have you or your family members forgotten about old shares or dividends that haven’t been claimed for years? If these remain unclaimed for too long, they get transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) . But what happens if you don’t claim them in time? Let’s understand the consequences of not claiming IEPF shares and how it may affect your rightful ownership. What is IEPF and Why Are Shares Transferred to It? The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) was created by the Government of India to protect investor interests. According to Section 124 of the Companies Act, 2013, if any dividend remains unclaimed for 7 consecutive years , the associated shares are transferred to the IEPF. This means both the unclaimed dividend and the shares are moved to the government’s fund — but they can still be reclaimed by the rightful owners or their legal heirs. Consequences of Not Claiming IEPF Shares in Time 1. Loss of Ownership Rights Temporar...