I bought 500 shares in a company in 1998 and still hold the certificates

When I changed my address I notified the registrar and they advised me I only now held 425 as 75 had been transfered to a crest holding and sold though a broker. I contacted the broker and they said they had no record of this.

How can shares be tranfered out of an account to a crest holding without the knowledge of the share certficate holder.

The registrar says although I have my original share certificate for 500 shares my holding is only 425. They also admitt that at time of the 75 shares being transfered out to a crest account and sold they did not issue a replacement certificate for the remaining 425 as would be the normal practise.

I always thought share certificates were proof of ownership is this the case ?

I struggle to understand how part of your holding can be sold without your knowledge. Sometimes reductions can take place due to corporate actions but 75 is an odd amount to lose from 500. Which company are the shares in?

Sounds like a job for the Financial Ombudsman Service. You'll probably have to raise it with the compliance departments of the registrar and the broker concerned first. As soon as they try to fob you off take it to the FOS.

There was no corporate action. The registrar records just say 75 tranfered to a crest holding and sold through a broker. The broker was most helpful and conducter a full search. They also said they had never had any dealings in the shares of this company

I have no intentions of selling the shares but will raise the matter with the company secretary.

I know brokers borrow shares from time to time but mine were held in certificates and not in a nominee account

The money is not a large amount but the principal is very important