Most IEPF delays are not caused by the authority, the company, or “system backlog”.

They are caused by small, avoidable mistakes made at the very beginning of the claim.

After years of seeing IEPF cases across families, companies, and inheritance scenarios, one pattern is consistent: people underestimate how unforgiving the process is to inconsistencies.

The Investor Education and Protection Fund works on verification, not intent. It does not assume you are the rightful owner. It waits for you to prove it, cleanly and completely.

Here are the most common mistakes that quietly add weeks or months to IEPF claims.

1. Filing IEPF-5 before fixing name mismatches

This is the single biggest mistake. Your name must match across PAN, demat account, bank account, and shareholding records.

Even minor differences matter. Initials vs full names. Middle names missing. Married surnames. Order of first and last name.

Once IEPF-5 is filed, these mismatches surface during verification, and the file goes into objection. Fixing them after filing almost always means rework and delay.

What works Fix name alignment before filing. PAN and demat alignment should be treated as non-negotiable prerequisites.
2. Assuming “old documents should be fine”

Many claims fail because people rely on decades-old bank statements, outdated address proofs, old specimen signatures, or expired IDs.

IEPF and companies verify current identity, not historical memory.

What works Use recent documents wherever possible. If old records are unavoidable, explain continuity clearly through affidavits instead of assuming acceptance.
3. Ignoring the transmission step in inheritance cases

Legal heir claims don’t start with IEPF. They start with transmission at the company or RTA level.

Common mistake: People directly file IEPF-5 assuming the fund will “figure out” heirship. It won’t.

What works Complete transmission first. Resolve heirship cleanly. Then move to IEPF.
4. Using incorrect or outdated affidavit formats

Affidavits are not generic documents. Each company expects specific wording, specific stamp value, and specific declarations.

What works Always use the latest company-specific format. Treat affidavits as legal documents, not templates.
5. Missing the 15-day physical submission window

After filing IEPF-5, claim documents must be sent to the company’s nodal officer within 15 days. People often delay couriering or send incomplete packets.

What works Prepare the physical packet before filing the online form, so dispatch happens immediately after SRN generation.
6. Treating the nodal officer as a “postbox”

The company’s nodal officer verifies documents and flags inconsistencies. They are not just forwarding clerks.

What works Send a clean, indexed, well-labelled document set. Reference SRN, folio, and claimant clearly in all communication.
7. Assuming follow-ups will “speed things up”

Random emails, repeated calls, or emotional appeals rarely help. IEPF works on compliance, not urgency.

What works Follow up only when there is a logical trigger. Reference the exact stage, SRN, and pending action.
8. Not keeping OTP access active

IEPF uses OTP-based verification. Changing numbers or losing access mid-process can halt communication.

What works Ensure continuous access to the registered email and mobile number until shares are credited.
9. Filing multiple claims instead of consolidating

IEPF allows one claim per financial year per company. Filing piecemeal locks you out.

What works Consolidate everything into a single, well-prepared claim. Fix issues before refiling.
10. Underestimating how long “small fixes” take

A missing signature. A wrong bank IFSC. A mismatched demat name. Each “small” issue can add 30–60 days or a full verification cycle.

What works Check thrice, file once.

The bigger lesson

IEPF recovery is not difficult. But it is procedural, precise, and memoryless.

The system does not remember your past filings, intentions, or explanations. It only reacts to what is on paper right now.

Most long delays are not bad luck. They are avoidable outcomes of starting before being ready.

If you approach IEPF like a compliance exercise instead of a refund request, timelines shorten dramatically.

Next in our IEPF series: A realistic IEPF recovery timeline (Coming Soon)