We Are Committed to Safeguarding Customer Information
In connection with providing financial products to you, we collect nonpublic and personal information (“nonpublic personal information”). Nonpublic personal information is information that is not available from a public source. We agree that you have the right to know how we will utilize the personal information you provide to us. Therefore, HomeQuest Mortgage, Inc. has adopted this Privacy Policy to govern the use and handling of your personal information.
Types of Information
The types of nonpublic personal information that HomeQuest Mortgage, Inc. may collect include:
- Information we receive from you on your application forms and in your communications to us, whether in writing, in person, by telephone or any other means;
- Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; and
- Information we receive from a third party such as a credit bureau (Factual Data).
Examples of personal information may include:
- Identifying information, such as your name, age, address, phone number and Social Security number.
- Information about your business and/or employment history.
- Financial information, such as your income, assets and liabilities, as well as information about your savings, investments and insurance.
Use of Information
We request information from you for our own legitimate business purposes and not for the benefit of any non-affiliated party. Therefore, we will not release your information to a non-affiliated party except: (1) as necessary for us to provide the products or services you requested; or (2) as permitted by law.
We may also provide non-public personal information to affiliated companies such as title and escrow companies as permitted by law. One of the important responsibilities of our affiliated companies is to record documents in the public domain. Such documents may contain your personal information.
Former Customer
Our privacy policy applies to both current and former clients. Even if you are no longer a customer, our Privacy Policy will continue to apply to you. We may, however, store such information indefinitely, including the period after which any customer relationship has ceased. Such information may be used for any internal purpose, such as quality control efforts or customer analysis.
Safeguarding Personal Information
We have adopted policies and procedures designed by our third party vendor AXIXA Corp to protect your personal information from unauthorized use or disclosure. We have implemented physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of the personal information in our possession and to guard against unauthorized access. These include, among other things, procedures for controlling access to customer files, building security programs and information technology security measures such as the use of passwords, encryption and firewalls, plus virus and use detection software. To elaborate, all loan files and personal information are stored in file cabinets under lock and key. Storage units are locked and only management is in possession of keys for access. We have installed ADT Security systems to prevent anyone from breaking and entering our office during off hours. From a technological standpoint, AXIXA Corp monitors and tests our firewalls and detection software on a daily basis. System alerts are in place to notify AXIXA Corp if an unauthorized user is attempting to penetrate HomeQuest firewalls. We refrain from using any wireless communication devices and remote access to our server is prohibited. Our credit reporting service Factual Data requires our loan officers to obtain authorization certificates to prevent unauthorized personnel to access consumer credit. We will continue to assess new technology, as it becomes available and to upgrade our physical and electronic security systems as appropriate. Information on AXIXA Corp can be found at www.AXIXA.net
Changes to Privacy Policy
We meet with our safeguard coordinators from AXIXA Corp on a monthly basis to review and analyze our systems to ensure we are operating at maximum protection. We may make changes to our Privacy Policy in the future. We will not make any change affecting you without first sending you a revised Privacy Policy describing the change.
Your Choices Regarding Information Sharing
We will disclose your Personal Information when you direct or give us permission, when we are required by law to do so, or when we suspect fraudulent or criminal activities. You may reach our Office Manager at HomeQuest Mortgage, Inc. Joanne Padgett at 508-839-1117 ext. 25 should you have any questions.