Question: Where are the records of my 'shares'.?

Some years ago I had some spare cash and put it into shares with a local stockbroker. About £12000 spread around 8 companies. I was selling my home and moving abroad for a while and took the stockbrokers offer to keep the certificates in his safe at no charge.Shortly afterwards 9/11 happened and the shares dropped so I left them sitting. Last year I settled again in the same town and having retired went to the stockbrokers office to see what the shares might be worth. The stockbroker had gone bust. I went to a nearby broker and with a little reluctance they gave me some time with one off their employees who had worked for the 'bust' broker. He told me it was not uncommon for them to take care of share certificates, but had no idea what happened to them. I estimate that the present total value of my Original investment now stands at around £3000. Can anyone suggest my next move ?

Answer:

I assume you have contract notes or records of the shares bought or even bank statements showing the payment to the broker? It is now illegal for brokers to hold clients assets (certificates) in their offices.
Two things to do: 1, Write to FSA Financial Services Authority), if the broker was regulated they will know what happened and should be able to help (there is a compensation fund).
2. Contact the Registrars of the companies and see if there was ever a holding in your name.
You could check to see if the shares have any value, to save trouble looking for those. Although if the broker went bust, and they had value at that time, that may be relevant.
What was the name of the broker?
If you need help contact me as below.

You may write to the respective companies furnishing your name and address ( it is better if you know the certificate numbers) and inform them that the broker is not traceable and request them to find out the present position of the shares in your name. If you get positive reply from the companies you may apply for duplicate share certificates.

Kinda sounds like you got ripped off by another dodgy stock broker.

Yes. Contact the registrars of the relevant companies (Google for the necessary info) and explain what has happened. They will issue replacements if you sign an indemnity saying that if the originals turn up you won't try to claim two lots of shares!