Sometimes the investment itself isn't the only thing that gets forgotten.

Unclaimed dividends, old cheques and share payments can also become difficult to trace when an investor changes address, changes banks, loses paperwork or stops receiving correspondence.

If you're searching for lost shares or unclaimed investments in Australia, it's worth looking beyond the shareholding itself and checking whether there may also be unpaid dividends or other associated payments.

Why Can Share Dividends Become Unclaimed?

Financial payments can become difficult to receive when:

• You move to a new address
• Your banking details change
• You change your name
• You lose old investment documents
• You stop receiving company correspondence
• An investment has been affected by a merger or restructure

Moneysmart explains that state governments can hold various types of unclaimed money, including share dividends, cheques, salaries and proceeds of sale.

Start With the Official Search

If you believe you have unclaimed shares in Australia, begin with the Australian Government's free unclaimed-money search.

ASIC maintains records for certain unclaimed shares and investments. If you find a relevant record, you will need to establish your identity and entitlement using the required documentation.

Keep Your Historical Records

Old documents can provide useful clues.

Check for:

• Dividend statements
• Shareholding statements