Does anyone know about stocks?

[HeatherMarie]

I worked for a company a few years ago and got 100 shares of stock as a Christmas bonus. I never got any paperwork or stock certificates. Just something on a piece of paper. Are they still mine? Is there any way I can get them?

[Shanna]

What kind of company was it? Were they given as stock options or as actual shares?

[HeatherMarie]

It was an auction company. I'm not sure if they were stock options or actual shares. I don't know the difference. :dunno: Maybe I can try to get in touch with someone I used to work with there and see if they know.

[May2003t&d]

If you were given a option vs actually shares, you wouldn't have any certificates. It means that they give you the option to purchase shares at a previous stated price.

[gulp!]

You need to contact someone in the finance/accounting area and ask. If they were actual shares, you should have received certificates. Someone in that area should be able to track them down.

[Shanna]

And another thing, if they were options, alot of times, stock options are no longer valid once you leave the company. I ran into this problem with Best Buy.

[Susan]

If you were given a option vs actually shares, you wouldn't have any certificates. It means that they give you the option to purchase shares at a previous stated price.
And if they were options, they probably are now invalid since you no longer work there. You tyically have to sell either before you terminate, or some plans give you up to 90 days or so to exercise. That said: You should have been given paperwork explaining the options to you and also telling you you must exercise before terminating. If you never got this paperwork you may be able to fight them if you're so inclined.

If they're shares, you wouldn't necessarily have been given the stock certificates either. They could be held by the plan trustee in your name. But all you'd need to do is request them and they're yours.