Overview

• The accounts apply to those born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, with access beginning at age 18.
• HMRC says hundreds of thousands of matured accounts remain unclaimed, after earlier estimating more than 670,000 people aged 18 to 22 could still cash out.
• Average balances are about £2,212, reflecting government-seeded, tax-free savings that sit with banks, building societies or other providers until withdrawn or reinvested.
• Anyone who knows their Child Trust Fund provider can contact them directly, while those who do not can use the official 'Find a Child Trust Fund' service on GOV.UK.
• Officials warn against paid tracing services that can charge up to £350 or 25% of the balance, which can reduce payouts and slow access to funds.