You know, it’s funny how something as simple as checking a Premium Bonds win can feel unintentionally mysterious. It’s not like lottery numbers that get shouted across the radio—yet, millions of us hold a small chance at tax‑free prizes every month. Despite the convenience of digital tools, a surprising number of bonds sit there with unclaimed prizes. Whether you’re a long-time saver or someone who inherited bonds decades ago, knowing how to check your prize status can pay off—literally.
Below, we explore exactly how to check if you’ve won a Premium Bond prize, why so many wins go unclaimed, and what practical steps you can take to make sure any winnings find their way to you.
The most convenient method is the official NS&I “Prize Checker”—accessible through their website or the mobile app. On the site, once updated (typically the day after the first working day of each month), you input your holder’s number—9 or 10 digits, or 8 digits plus a letter—to see if you’ve won in the current or past six draws, as well as any unclaimed prizes . The app works similarly but allows entry via either your holder number or an 11-digit NS&I number .
Another user-friendly channel involves Amazon Alexa. By enabling the Premium Bonds prize checker skill and inputting your NS&I number, you can ask Alexa whether you’ve won and even find out when the next draw results will be available .
If digital isn’t your preferred route, you have two fallback options:
If you’ve misplaced all account details, NS&I’s tracing service can help locate forgotten bonds or unclaimed prizes using your personal details and previous addresses . You can even use the My Lost Account service from UK Finance to search broadly across institutions .
One of the key reasons prizes go unclaimed is outdated contact information. If you’ve moved or changed phone numbers without telling NS&I, any physical letters or email alerts might never reach you .
Some bonds were purchased long ago—and often forgotten, especially if inherited. In one area like Suffolk, unclaimed prizes include some dating back decades, even the early 1960s . In total, Premium Bonds have amassed over £100 million in unclaimed winnings across millions of prizes .
If prize money isn’t set to be paid into your bank or reinvested into new bonds, NS&I sends it via warrant (like a cheque). That can cause delays or lost items, especially when contact info is wrong or people don’t check the mail regularly .
Though there’s no time limit to claim your prize, NS&I labels winnings unclaimed after about 18 months. And those prizes persist in the system indefinitely .
Consider the case of a saver from November 2025: they discovered via the prize checker that two people—one in Shropshire and another in York—had each won £1 million . Another story: someone realized they’d won £150 from bonds held for years by checking the app . And MoneyWeek reported that NS&I awarded over £406 million in January 2026 alone; simple notifications and checking tools let millions see if they were winners quickly .
Moreover, NS&I introduced a unique element of surprise for jackpot winners: “Agent Million” locally visits the £1 million winners in person, offering both discretion and an emotional moment .
“The quickest way is to download our prize checker app or use the Premium Bonds prize checker at nsandi.com prize checker.”
— NS&I Spokesperson
This highlights what many experts and practical users agree on: digital tools make the process effortless and immediate.
Premium Bonds may seem quaint in a world of instant trading apps and mobile wallets, but they offer a quietly thrilling opportunity: a tax-free prize, perhaps even a life-changing jackpot. Yet, the friction of outdated details, forgotten bonds, or checking laziness means far too many pounds go unclaimed.
A few minutes spent setting up your NS&I account or installing the Prize Checker app can pay dividends—and you don’t even know when. So, give it a shot: you might just discover a hidden prize, whether it’s £25 or far more.
Prizes become “unclaimed” after around 18 months, but there’s no expiration—NS&I holds funds indefinitely until you claim them .
You’ll need either your 9–10 digit holder’s number (or 8 digits plus a letter) for the website, or the 11‑digit NS&I number for the app .
Use NS&I’s tracing service or the My Lost Account service to help recover forgotten bonds and any unclaimed prizes .
Standard winners get emails prompting them to check their prize status. Winners of £10,000–£100,000 receive claim forms by post. Jackpot winners (£1 million) are visited in person by “Agent Million” .
If contact info is outdated, prize notifications (via post or email) may not reach you. Unclaimed prizes can accumulate due to missing addresses or negligence .
Yes. In fact, over nine in ten prize payments are automatically reinvested or sent to the winner’s bank account, improving the chance of prompt receipt .
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