Privacy Policy

Maintaining customers' Privacy

The personal information entered into this web site will be processed in accordance with the principles and requirements of the Data Protection Act. The Society has notified the Information Commissioner about what personal information it processes and why - this notification is held on a Public Register.

Personal information is collected and processed only with customer consent. A customer has the right to ask for a copy of their personal information that the Society may be using, on payment of £10. The Society then has 40 days in which to provide this, although there are circumstances when it is not obliged to do so. If any personal information is inaccurate, the customer can ask for it to be corrected.

The Society may distribute its customers’ personal information to carefully selected third party companies, for the purpose of operating its financial services, and for legal and regulatory reasons, namely:

• For making credit-related decisions.
• For confirming a customer’s identity.
• For preventing and detecting crime, and debt recovery e.g. fraud or money laundering.
• For improving the efficiency of its administration.

The Society and selected third parties (for example Axa, who provide Life Assurance products) may use personal information for keeping customers informed of their products and services. Customers can opt-out of direct marketing mailings.

Where the Society collects and processes ‘sensitive’ information (as defined by the Data Protection Act e.g. about a customer’s health or racial origin), the individual’s consent will be requested first.

The Society provides training for its employees and emphasises the need to keep its information, especially personal information provided by its customers, confidential. The Society also takes reasonable steps to maintain the security of its computer network and secure storage of paper documents. For example, the personal information provided via its web site will be sent electronically to the Society in an encrypted format.

For further information and guidance about Data Protection, please contact the Information Commissioner: www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk, Help Line: 01625 545 745.

Credit Reference & Debt Recovery Process

The Society’s credit agencies, for reference and identity verification, are Equifax, Call Credit and Experian.

We will give you 28 days' notice before recording a default with the credit reference agencies.

The default will remain on the credit reference agency records for 6 years.

A third party such as a solicitor or Debt Collection Agency may be used to recover the debt; if, we decide to take this action we will inform you before we disclose your details to them. If we are unable to find you, we pass your information on to a Tracing agency.

Contacting the Society

Your telephone conversations with the Society may be recorded. This is to help the Society in its continuous attempts to improve customer service and to offer additional security. Calls and electronic communications may also be monitored for reasons of staff training, and may be retained. 

Keeping you informed - by Telephone or Post

If you do not wish to receive marketing information, either indicate this by using the opt-out button or write to the Society’s Customer Contact Centre at Principal Office.

Keeping you informed (Savings products) - by E-Mail

When you enter the site you voluntarily supply your e-mail address. If you would like to ensure the Society and carefully selected parties can keep you up to date with products and services by e-mail then you need to press the "Register for updates on future savings products" button.

Please note: The Society does not currently market Mortgage products through e-mail.