Pacific Northwest Credit Union Privacy Policy
The protection of our members’ privacy and the safekeeping of confidential information are of utmost concern to Pacific Northwest Credit Union. As such, you can rely on our commitment to protect confidential information relating to your account. This privacy policy explains what types of member information we collect and under what circumstances we may share it. In this policy “you” refers to members. “We” refers to Pacific Northwest Credit Union.
Member Information We Collect
• From applications and other forms, we obtain information such as your name, address, social security number, and income;
• From your transactions with us, or with other companies that provide services to you on our behalf, or from your use of your debit card, and credit card we obtain information such as your account number, the date, amount and time of the transaction, and other pertinent information;
• From consumer reporting agencies, we obtain information such as your creditworthiness and credit history;
• From employers and other financial institutions where you conduct transactions, we verify information you provide on applications and other forms;
• From your visits to our website, we retain information you provide us during your transactions and information you send by e-mail.
When Information May Be Shared
The credit union only shares information for legitimate business reasons, with the ultimate goal of bringing you greater convenience and more choices. Information will be shared only if the credit union determines that your interests would be served. Information shared with affiliates will be limited to contact information such as your name and address.
Information obtained from outside sources (such as a credit bureau) will never be released by the credit union.
The credit union strives to assure that all affiliates maintain privacy standards comparable to our own; therefore, before sharing any information with an affiliate, the credit union will first obtain a written confidentiality statement from the affiliate.
Sharing Information as Legally Required or Permitted
We may share any member information of yours in response to a lawful request issued by a court, government agency, or regulatory authority, to a nonaffiliated 3rd party or as permitted by law in order to administer or enforce your account. We may also share our experience information about you with consumer reporting agencies. Our reporting to credit bureaus is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which affords you the right to make sure that your credit bureau reports are accurate.
Online Privacy Protections
This privacy policy also applies to our website at www.pacificnwcu.com. At our website, you may apply for loans and you may communicate with us via e-mail. Generally, e-mails are not secure. Therefore, we advise you not to include personally identifiable information such as your account number or social security number in your e-mail. When you visit our website, you can access site information without revealing your personal identity.
Our website contains links to other websites. We cannot be responsible for the privacy practices or the content of linked websites and encourage you to read the privacy statement of linked websites to become acquainted with their specific privacy practices.
Protecting Children's Information Privacy
Our online financial services are not designed for or directed toward children. Our kids’ savings program includes online marketing that has program information and education. We do not knowingly solicit or collect data from children online. In order to provide some youth program content, we may share certain information with third-party providers. However, a child’s personal information is not available to third-party providers. We recognize that protecting children’s identities and online privacy is important and that responsibility rests with us and with parents.
Accuracy of Information
The credit union will take reasonable precautions to protect the accuracy and reliability of your member information; however, you are responsible for updating your member record from time to time in order to assure its accuracy. The credit union will respond to your requests to update information on your account as quickly as possible.
Non-Disclosure of Information
As a member of the credit union, you can be confident that the confidentiality of account information is the rule, not the exception. Although information collected in conjunction with a member’s account remains the property of the credit union, members may choose to "opt out" of all information sharing by the credit union.
If you wish to opt out of information sharing by the credit union (including information which could be in your best interest, and bring you greater convenience), please put your request in writing and send it to: Pacific Northwest Credit Union, 3250 Northwest Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225. Your request must include your account numbers, and must be signed and dated.
Availability of Policy
The credit union is proud of its commitment to member confidentiality, and will make this policy available to any consumer requesting it. The credit union will also post the policy on its Internet Home Page: www.pacificnwcu.com.
Privacy Policy Inquiries
Because of the credit union’s high commitment to confidentiality of member information, inquiries relating to this policy or any perceived non-compliance with the policy, should be forwarded directly to the credit union’s Chief Executive Officer or to a member of the credit union’s Supervisory Committee for prompt consideration.
The credit union’s President/C.E.O. can be reached by calling the credit union at: 360.647.0560. Correspondence directed to the credit union’s Supervisory Committee should be addressed to them at their P.O. Box:
Pacific Northwest Credit Union Supervisory Committee
P.O. Box 654
Ferndale, WA 98248