Privacy | Southern Maine Credit Union - Trademark FCU
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Privacy

Privacy

PURPOSE

A privacy statement is a communication to our Members about how Trademark Federal Credit Union (Credit Union) uses their personal information. Only when consumers have a full understanding of how an organization maintains and uses the information can they make informed decisions regarding the disclosure of their personal information.

GENERAL

As a general policy, the Credit Union does not automatically collect personal information from users of its website. The Credit Union may collect and store information on the domain a user uses to access its website, the Internet address of the website from which a user links to the website and the date and time of the visitor’s visit to the website. This information may be used for statistical purposes to measure the number of visitors to its website and the route a user travels while within the website to better serve users in improved design and site navigation.

PRIVACY NOTICE AND DISCLOSURE

The Credit Union is committed to providing competitive products and services to meet Members’ financial needs and to help them reach their goals. We are equally committed to protecting the privacy of our Members. Our Privacy Notice describes our Credit Union’s privacy policy and practices concerning the personal information we collect and disclose about our Members. It also includes information about the parties who receive personal and sometimes nonpublic information from us as we conduct the business of the credit union. These practices are followed by the Credit Union.

SECURE AREAS

Personal identification (i.e.: account number, PIN, password) is collected when a valid Credit Union Member with active Credit Union account(s) has registered to enter the secure online banking area of the Credit Union’s website. This information enables the Credit Union to regulate access of this information to those who request such access and those entitled to perform transactions on these account(s).

 INFORMATION WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU

We collect nonpublic personal information from the following sources:

  • Information we receive on applications and other forms
  • Information about transactions with us
  • Information we receive from a consumer reporting agency
  • Information obtained when verifying the information provided on an application or other form This may be obtained from your current or past employers, or from other institutions where you conduct financial transactions.

INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our Members or former Members to anyone, except as permitted by law.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION ABOUT FORMER MEMBERS

If Membership with the Credit Union is terminated, we will not share information we have collected, except as may be permitted or required by law.

HOW WE PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about Members to persons who need to know that personal information to provide products or services. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with Federal Regulations to guard nonpublic personal information.

WHAT MEMBERS CAN DO TO HELP

The Credit Union is committed to protecting the privacy of its Members. Members can help by following these simple guidelines:

  • Protect account numbers, plastic card numbers, PINs (personal identification numbers) or passwords. Never keep the PIN with the card, which can provide free access to accounts if the card is lost or stole
  • Use caution when disclosing account numbers, social security numbers, et to other persons. If someone calls you explaining the call is on behalf of the Credit Union and asks for your account number, beware. Official Credit Union staff will have access to Member information and will not need to ask for it.
  • Keep contact information with us current. If an address or phone number changes, please let us know. If we detect potentially fraudulent or unauthorized activity or use of an account, we will attempt to contact the Member immediately.

ONLINE FORMS

The Credit Union provides several online form resources, for example deposit and loan accounts, to better serve the needs of its Members. Personal information provided by a user via any of the Credit Union’s online forms is used by the Credit Union only to process the Member’s request for service.  All information that passes between the Credit Union’s website and the user’s PC is encrypted to protect the user’s privacy.

EMAIL

Personal information transmitted to the Credit Union may be used by Credit Union staff to respond to inquiries for service or information or improve the service the Credit Union provides. Since e-mail communication may not be secure against interception by unauthorized individuals, the Credit Union has provided secure communication Message Center located in our Mobile and Home Banking products. Also, the Credit Union will not transmit sensitive or personal information that can compromise or violate a user’s privacy when communicating via non-encrypted e- mail.

COOKIES

A cookie is a small piece of data sent from a website and stored in a user’s web browser while the user is browsing that website. Cookies may contain a variety of information, from a simple count of how often you visit a website, to information which allows customization of a website for your use. Trademark Federal Credit Union uses cookies to store the session identifier and to store session information.

THIRD PARTY LINKS

Trademark Federal Credit Union provides links to other websites to connect our Members with sites that may be of value to them. These other websites are not operated by Trademark and we are not responsible for the content or availability of these other linked sites. Please remember that when you leave our website, our Privacy Policy is no longer in effect. Once you visit another website, your web privacy and security is defined by that website’s own policies. When accessing any third party content, Trademark encourages you to review the privacy policy and security offered on that site before providing any personal information. Trademark Federal Credit Union does not guarantee or assume liability for any third party product or service obtained through our website. We do not represent either the third party or you if you enter into a transaction. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding our third party links.

SECURITY

We restrict access to nonpublic Member information to those employees who need to know that information to provide products or services. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with Federal regulations to guard nonpublic personal information.

IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft is more prevalent and is impacting all facets of our life – from the news, to the office, to friends and family. Identity theft occurs when someone gains access to a Member’s personal information including social security number, and/or credit card number, and then uses that information to perform unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. These transactions can ruin the Member’s credit and, potentially, cost them thousands of dollars.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent or at least minimize exposure to identity theft. The first is to be aware of how to prevent and avoid scams, which will lessen the chances of information being stolen.

The following are other tips on how to avoid identity theft:

  • Do not carry important documents such as a social security card, birth certificate or passport unless necessary.
  • Keep credit card receipts, bank statements and other personal documents in a safe place or buy a shredder.
  • Shred all documents with any important numbers, including pre-approved credit card documents and receipt
  • When selecting a PIN number, use a mix of letter and number Stay away from numbers that are easy to get (i.e. birth date, last four digits of your Social Security number or mother’s maiden name). Do not write or leave pin numbers in your wallet.
  • Keep a separate list of credit card account numbers, with expiration dates and telephone number In an emergency, this will allow quick notification to the appropriate parties to stop any unauthorized transactions.
  • Do not give any information over the phone to a vendor.
  • Read over all statements and review all charges. Make sure that all charges have been made by authorized parties.
  • Periodically obtain a credit report and review credit history. The three main credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Following these simple tips can greatly reduce the risk of identity theft. Identity theft is a serious crime with serious consequences. People whose identities have been stolen spend months or years cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit.

GUIDANCE

  • Contact the Credit Union and all others with whom you have a financial relationship if you believe someone has accessed your personal account information
  • File a police report immediately if you have had a loss. Even if the police can’t catch the identity thief, having a police report on file can assist when trying to clear up credit records later
  • Contact the fraud department at the three major credit bureaus listed below. Ask them to put a “fraud alert” on fil This advises creditors to call the number on the credit bureau before they open any accounts in a person’s name.
  • Equifax 800-525-6285 • Experian 888-397-3742 • Trans Union 800-680-7289
  • Complete an identity theft affidavit, which will assist in reporting to many companies that a new account has been open

For additional assistance, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 877-ID-THEFT or visit their website at: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/