"Heir Hunters" #2

[Nick29]

Yes, but Neil, surely they must have all been researched to some extent, otherwise how would anyone know that there are no heirs ?

I watched an episode from this week last night, where a lady in a shoe shop in Blackpool was the sole heir to about £280,000 and after all the work you did, she didn't sign up.  You must have been gutted !   Do any of your researchers ever get "admonished" for giving away too much information ? 

[FraserandFraser]

Our staff are given free reign with the heirs they see, they all sign about the same % of heirs if we were to find a week link then we could deal with it but some times you can give away too much some times not enough.

the cases have very little work done on them be for it goes to the TS as no one has authority to charge for there time until heirs are found, if I could be told about the cases early I would be a happy man.

it does mean that if people find run down properties where people have recently passed away then just drop us a line and I can have a look to see if it is a case, you never know it may get on to heir hunters as it looks like we will start filming in September.

[Chutzpah]

I'm sure it's a tough situation to be in, they need to know enough information to know you're legitimate and to trust you, but give away too much and you've basically drawn the family tree for them. And the added factor that you're basically informing them of a death in the family.

I too saw the lady in the shoe shop programme the other day, that was one where I truly felt sorry for you guys. Purely because without people like you researching it she would have never known.

When it's a family member people knew I can understand, to a degree, going it alone. But when it comes out of the blue like that (the way it came across she didn't even realise the "Auntie" she met just once was her mother's twin!) it's probably worth paying them for the research work.

Neil, do you ever have cases where the person decides to go it alone, but then when they realise how much work will be involved come back to you?

[Nick29]

I wonder if any of the heir hunters are going for the lady with the double-barrelled Russian name on this week's BV list ?

I did a quick search on Ancestry and came up with nothing !    That's me out 

[websi7]

The charges made by Heir Hunters can vary and with a VAT on top the cost to a beneficiary can erode a small inheritance.

Our organisation have a number of articles in the PRESS room which may enlighten many of you potential beneficiaries.

The industry (or profession) needs some control as it is currently not regulated and whilst there are many well established HHs a few could do with improvment.

Regretably many people see HHs as "seedy" and it could be a few genuine beneficiaries have slammed their door in the face of any attempts to tell them good news.

With the BBC's Heir Hunters prog glamorising the issue there is a big interest, rest assured "Hunters" are here to stay, billions go to the state (internationally) and it could be in OUR POCKETS if we know when, how and where to look!

[Mborrill]

As potential beneficiaries sign a contract I guess there would be a cooling off period so a chance for them to change their minds.

In order to submit a valid claim to the TS the relationship and therefore the entitlement to the estate has to be proved, I would of thought? And once this is accepted then that heir would become the estate administrator and their duty would be to make sure all potential heirs are located.

The purchase of all the necessary certs [unless needed for research to find the heirs] would not be needed until the cooling off period has expired.

The main outlay would be the time and costs [wages, office etc] in the 'hunt' to locate the heirs. SO in cases where you have 10-12 staff dedicated to one case even if they only spent an hour each on the case would surely out weigh that of obtaining the certs. So if they don't sign/change their minds you have already incurred the main costs to locate the heir.

That's a reason why you look for cases with property/high value, you may fail to sign some cases but that if offset by the potential high gains from the ones you do sign.

[websi7]

It would be sensible and expedient to be adminstrator of an intestate's estate if both the number of beneficiaries and value are small. For large estates which could be complex a solictor or accountant would be better and safer.

I believe the average intestate estate is 67,000

It is normal also to insure on closure in case other beneficiaries turn up later, the premiums are based on the risk and require a detailed family tree and research.

I got 25% of a 250,000 estate which cost 2,000 to insure and since I knew nobody in the tree for all I know there could be others.

[Heir Hunters tv]

WARNING E-MAIL HEIR HUNTING SCAM:

Hi RootsChat,

Just want to issue a warning there is an email SCAM circulating claiming to be from the BBC and 'Heir Hunters'

it says the following:

From: Thomas Wellington <bbcheirhunters@bbc.co.uk>
Date: 2009/9/20
Subject: Across Your Contact
To:


Hello There,

I am writing you from Heir Hunters Company in the United kingdom , Heir Hunters probate detectives looking for distant relatives of people who have died without making a will, here is our website page on BBC TWO News,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00cfx9y/Heir_Hunters_Series_2_Hilliard/?src=ip_ra

We came across your email while searching and we will be glad if you can get back to us with your full name, date of birth, address and your direct number if it corresponds with the one on our data base in order to enable us carry out necessary process and to get your claim across to you without any delay.

Thomas Wellington.
Heir Hunters BBc TWO News
E-mail: bbcheirhunters@yahoo.com.hk

IT IS A SCAM PLEASE DELETE IT.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say that the programme and the BBC have no connection with the 'Heir Hunters Association' as mentioned above.

Thanks

Heir Hunters
BBC TV

[websi7]

I belive the HHA make that point clear on their web site

" Note: We are an independent organisation and have no connection with the Heir Hunters TV program.
  " and that includes a link to Flame TV who make that excellent program.