Why we ask for your information
When we release your information
Summary of the 10 Privacy Principles
Protecting Your Privacy over the Internet
Your concerns matter to us

Casera Credit Union (Casera Credit Union) has adopted a Privacy Code, which provides guidelines that we use to protect the privacy of personally identifiable member data that is collected, used, disclosed or communicated to Casera Credit Union. This Code is based on the 10 privacy protection principles laid out in the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information and applies to all aspects of information within Casera Credit Union.

We have always treated your private information in a confidential manner. This Privacy Code informs you of our policy on privacy, and the ways we ensure that your privacy and the confidentiality of your information is protected.

The full text of our Privacy Code is available upon request from either branch location.

Why we ask for your information.

We ask you for information to establish and serve you. The information we ask for depends on which product or service you use. For every product or service, we need your name, address and some identification. We only collect the information we need and only use it for the following purposes:

• to understand your financial service needs;
• to develop, offer and manage products and services to meet your needs;
• to determine the suitability of the products or services or your eligibility;
• to provide ongoing service;
• to detect and prevent fraud;
• to help safeguard the financial interests of the credit union and it's members;
• to meet legal and regulatory requirements.

Here's why we need some of the other information we ask for.

Birth date
This helps us identify you and ensure that no one is trying to impersonate you. We may also use it to determine your eligibility for products and services that may be of benefit to a particular age group.

Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Your SIN is required for products which earn investment income, in order to comply with Revenue Canada's income reporting requirements. We also use it to keep your information separate from that of other members with a similar name. This may include information we obtain with your consent through the credit approval process.

Financial Information
This is used to assess your eligibility for credit products such as loans. We also use it to ensure that the advice we give you is appropriate for you.

Health Information
This is required for some insurance products to ensure you are eligible for coverage.

We only collect the information we need and only use it for the purposes explained to you. When you apply for a new product or service, we will indicate in the application or agreement how we intend to use your information. If we need to use it for another purpose, we will ask you for your consent at that time.

When we release your information

Under no circumstances do we sell member lists or information to others. We release your information to parties outside Casera Credit Union only under the following circumstances.

With your consent
We will disclose your credit history with us to other lenders or credit bureaus in order to support the credit approval process. We release only the information required to identify you, as well as facts from our credit records about your repayment history.

For servicing purposes
We give a limited amount of information, only as necessary, without your consent to our suppliers and agents; for example, cheque printers and card manufacturers who provide goods and services to you through us.

When required or permitted by law
We must give information in response to a valid demand, search warrant or other legally valid enquiry or order. We may disclose information to help us collect a debt owed to us by you. We may also disclose information to an investigative body in the case of a breach of agreement or contravention of law - this helps prevent fraud, money laundering or other criminal activity.

Summary of the 10 Privacy Principles

Ten interrelated principles form the basis of the Casera Credit Union (Casera Credit Union) Code for the Protection of Personal Information ("the Code"). Each principle must be read in conjunction with the accompanying commentary.

Accountability
Casera Credit Union is responsible for personal information under its control and shall designate a Privacy Officer who is accountable for compliance with the principles of the Code.

Identifying Purposes
The purposes for which personal information is collected shall be identified by Casera Credit Union at or before the time the information is collected.

Consent
The knowledge and consent of the member are required for the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, except in specific circumstances as described within this code.

Limiting Collection
The collection of personal information shall be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by Casera Credit Union. Information shall be collected by fair and lawful means.

Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention
Personal information shall not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the member or as required by law. Personal information shall be retained only as long as necessary for the fulfillment of those purposes.

Accuracy
Personal information shall be as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.

Safeguards
Personal information shall be protected by security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.

Openness
Casera Credit Union shall make readily available specific, understandable information about its policies and practices relating to the management of personal information.

Individual Access
Upon request, an individual shall be informed of the existence, use, and disclosure of their personal information, and shall be given access to that information. An individual is entitled to question the accuracy and completeness of the information and have it amended as appropriate.

Compliance
A member shall be able to question compliance with the above principles to the Privacy Officer accountable for Casera Credit Union's compliance. Casera Credit Union shall have policies and procedures to respond to a member's questions and concerns.

Protecting Your Privacy over the Internet

Password Protection
Whenever you receive a temporary password we strongly encourage you to change it, as soon as possible, to something confidential and private, which only you would know. When changing passwords, you should avoid anything that includes information someone else knows or has access to, such as birth dates, addresses, numbers found in your wallet or words associated with you. Your passwords are private and absolutely no one has the authority to obtain them from you at any time, including credit union staff or officials. Do not tell anyone your password. Your browser may give you the option of saving passwords for you, but for security reasons we do not advise you to use it.

Cookies
Web sites often collect non-personal information in small text files called "cookies" when you enter web sites. Some sites will place a cookie on your system so you don't have to identify yourself by entering a password each and every time you visit a site. Casera Credit Union uses session cookies on its sites, which are only stored for the length of time you are in the site. They are not written to your hard drive and are used only to provide easier access while there. They are not used to identify users or to track usage. If you use the browser's option of saving a password, it will be saved in a cookie.

Browser Encryption
We require that 128-bit encryption be used when conducting financial transactions over the Internet. While every effort is made, through the use of industry recognized security standards, to continually protect personal information from misuse and alteration, Casera Credit Union and its affiliates do not guarantee the security of your information over the Internet. If your browser does not support 128-bit encryption, you will have to download and install a version of your browser that supports it.

Cache Storage
Always log out of any site where you have viewed or sent personal or financial information. For added security and privacy, clearing your browser's cache at the end of every on-line session is a good habit to get into.
The purpose of caching is to make your browser more efficient by eliminating the need for it to reload previously viewed pages every time you visit. However, it also allows anyone to view those pages. You can clear your cache by deleting items in the Temporary Internet Files folder in your file manager, or through the browser itself.

E-mail
When you forward e-mail to Casera Credit Union, we recommend that you use caution and do not include confidential information in those messages, as they are not encrypted. E-mail is very similar to that of a post card and along the way someone can read every word that has been written.
Upon receipt of your e-mail, we may store your correspondence and exact e-mail address for future communications directly with you. Under no circumstances do we sell e-mail addresses or share them with any other party.

Your concerns matter to us

If you have any concerns or questions about privacy and confidentiality - or any concerns about the way a request for information was handled - you can take the following actions.

Begin by contacting the manager of the branch that handles your account. They have the decision-making authority to resolve most concerns.

720 St. Anne's Road
Winnipeg, MB R2N 0A2
Phone: 958-6600

Fax: 958-6601

As a next step, call 958-6300 and ask for our Privacy Officer, who will ensure that your concerns are addressed.