Introduction

Dow Credit Union recognizes the importance of respecting the privacy of our members and applicants, and we want to assure you that any information Dow Credit Union gathers will be used for its own business needs. Dow Credit Union will not sell or share any information that we learn about you from your visit to our website (www.dowcreditunion.org) described below, and Dow Credit Union will gather only information it needs to serve you better. This site contains links to other sites. Dow Credit Union is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites.

Dow Credit Union also recognizes the need for security on the Internet, which is why we have Internet security standards and procedures in place to protect against unauthorized disclosure of information or access to information about you from our website. In addition, we limit employee access to personally identifiable information to those employees who have a business purpose for having access to such information.

Does Dow Credit Union collect Personal Information?

Yes. The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

• Social Security number and assets
• account balances and payment history
• credit history and employment information
• When you are no longer our member, we may continue to share your information.

We collect your personal information, for example, when you:

• open an account or deposit money
• give us your contact information or apply for a loan
• use your credit or debit card
• We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus.

Dow Credit Union obtains personal information primarily in four ways:

1. Your Applications
   Dow Credit Union’s principal business is to offer financial services such as credit cards, checking and savings accounts, personal and mortgage loans. For example, in order to provide you service, we may ask you to provide us with some or all of the following information: Name, Mailing Addresses, Email Addresses, Social Security number, Driver’s License number, Employer, Membership Eligibility, Employee Number, Home and Business Phone Numbers.

 

Also, we may request additional financial information in order to provide you credit or other services. In addition, we may request information that helps us keep your account secure. We use the information you give us to optimize the financial services we offer, evaluate your credit worthiness and prevent fraud. We will not be able to process your application if you do not provide us with all the information requested. We recognize that you may have concerns about the security of your personal information in completing an application online. If you are not comfortable opening an account, credit card, or loan online you can call us at (989) 835-7794 or (800) 835-7794 or visit the credit union during normal business hours.

As a part of an application, you expressly authorize us to obtain a credit bureau report for our use in evaluating your application and subsequently in connection with our periodic review of your account relationship(s) with us, a requested change to your account or a change in your credit line. Each application for a Dow Credit Union product will disclose that we are obtaining a credit report, if applicable, as part of our evaluation of the application. The credit report contains information about your credit history and is one of the tools we use to protect you from fraudulent conduct. As discussed below, you have certain rights regarding your credit bureau reports. Depending on the credit product for which you apply we may request additional authorizations to obtain information, such as confirmation of employment.

2. Your Transaction History
   We track your transactions including where and how you access and use the account in order to prepare your monthly statement and to protect against fraudulent use of the account.

 

3. Visiting Dow Credit Union on the Web
   We obtain information online and track the flow of traffic on our website. We obtain personal information from visitors to our site at the time a visitor applies for one of our products. In addition, our computer and your computer may communicate during your visit to our website which allows us to customize screens and identify which part(s) of the site has/have been accessed.

 

4. Communications with Dow Credit Union
   We keep track of when and why you email us regarding your account. This allows us to provide consistent quality service.

Does Dow Credit Union use Cookies?

Yes, we use cookies in conjunction with our online banking product to establish a unique session with your computer to prevent fraudulent and/or unauthorized access to your account. Our online banking product places three different cookies. These cookies are randomly generated strings and contain no member data. One cookie is used to manage the current online banking session, and is only valid for the duration of the session. In addition, when clicking the “Sign Out” link to log off, this cookie is invalidated on the server. The other two cookies are used as part of the “Remember my computer” functionality.

Additional cookies are used for website statistics in order to identify unique visitors. No member-sensitive information is stored within these cookies.

How does Dow Credit Union use or disclose Personal Information?

Generally, we will not disclose information to third parties about your accounts or about you without your permission. However, we may disclose information: (1) when it is necessary to complete transfers or transactions, or to send notice of dishonor or nonpayment; (2) to our accountants, attorneys or other professional advisors; (3) to Credit Union or financial institution regulators; (4) to exchange, in the regular course of business, credit information with other financial institutions or commercial enterprises, directly or through credit reporting agencies; (5) to advise third parties of accounts closed for misuse; (6) to furnish information to the appropriate law enforcement authorities when we believe we have been a victim of a crime; (7) to comply with government agency or court orders, or to furnish any information required by statute; (8) to furnish information about the existence of an account to a judgment creditor of yours who has made a written request for such information; (9) when we are attempting to collect an obligation owed to us; or (10) unless otherwise prohibited by law. In addition, you understand and agree that we may, from time to time, request and review credit reports and other information about you prepared by credit reporting agencies or others.

What are Credit Bureaus?

Credit bureaus are private organizations that compile your credit history and make that information available to lenders to assess potential borrowers’ creditworthiness. We provide these credit bureaus with information regarding the status of your account. You may contact the credit bureaus as follows:

The national credit bureaus offer a toll-free number to opt-out of all pre-approved credit offers with just one phone call. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) for more information.

To the extent you believe that we have inaccurately provided information to a credit bureau, please contact us by writing to us at:

Dow Credit Union
P.O. Box 1649
Midland, MI 48641-1649

Please provide us with your account number as well as all other information you believe we should know about the situation. We will investigate and respond to you within 30 days.

Reporting of Negative Information. We may report information about your account to credit bureaus. Late payments, missed payments, or other defaults on your account may be reflected in your credit report.

How do I make sure that the Credit Bureaus have the Correct Information?

Your rights are governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act and vary depending on whether an action has been taken as a result of a bureau report. In the event that you want your credit bureau report, you may request it by contacting the particular credit bureau. If you have been denied credit based on information in a particular credit bureau report, you are entitled to a free copy of your report from that credit bureau, provided you ask that bureau for a report within 60 days of the notice to you. In some circumstances, you may have to pay a fee to get the report. You also have the right to challenge the accuracy of information contained on your report.

Do I Have Access to My Information?

Yes, you have the right to obtain information about you, including your application and details of your account.

You may submit your request in writing to:

Dow Credit Union
P.O. Box 1649
Midland, MI 48641-1649

We will respond to you within 30 days.

What If I Have a Question or Problem?

Dow Credit Union is committed to preserving the privacy of our members. We have described the manner in which we collect and use personal information. In the event you have concerns, questions or a problem arising from our performance pursuant to this statement, it should be directed to us in writing at:

Dow Credit Union
P.O. Box 1649
Midland, MI 48641-1649