Privacy and Security Center

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Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Seattle Credit Union (“SCU,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information through our website, online banking, and the Seattle Credit Union mobile app (collectively, the “Services”). The mobile application is referred to in this Policy as the “App.” This policy works in combination with other privacy disclosures we provide, including those required under federal financial privacy laws.

Information We Collect

SCU collects personal information directly from you, as well as from your devices and the online applications that you use to access SCU Services, authenticate your identity, and otherwise access and use our products and services. SCU’s vendors operate some of our online services, in which case SCU also may receive personal information from SCU’s vendors when they collect information directly from you on SCU’s behalf. SCU also collects information from third-party sources as described in this Privacy Policy.

(a) Personal Information You Provide to Us

We may collect personal information from you, such as your first and last name, address, e-mail, User IDs, telephone number, and social security number when you create an account.
We will collect the financial and transaction information necessary to provide you with the Services, including account numbers, payment card expiration date, payment card identification, verification numbers, and transaction and payment history.
If you provide feedback or contact us via email, we will collect your name and email address, as well as any other content included in the email, in order to send you a reply.
We also collect other types of personal information that you provide voluntarily, such as any information requested by us if you contact us via email regarding support for the Services.

(b) Personal Information Collected from Third Parties

We may collect certain information from identity verification services and consumer reporting agencies, including credit bureaus, in order to provide some of our Services.

(c) Personal Information Collected Via Technology

We and our service providers may automatically log information about you, your computer or mobile device, and your interaction over time with our Services, our communications, and other online services, such as:

Device data, such as your computer’s or mobile device’s operating system type and version, manufacturer and model, browser type, screen resolution, RAM and disk size, CPU usage, device type (e.g., phone, tablet), IP address, unique identifiers, language settings, mobile device carrier, radio/network information (e.g., Wi-Fi, LTE, 3G), and general location information such as city, state or geographic area.
Online activity data, such as pages or screens you viewed, how long you spent on a page or screen, the website you visited before browsing to the Service, navigation paths between pages or screens, information about your activity on a page or screen, access times, and duration of access.
Cookies, which are text files that websites store on a visitor’s device to uniquely identify the visitor’s browser or to store information or settings in the browser for the purpose of helping you navigate between pages efficiently, remembering your preferences, enabling functionality, and helping us understand user activity and patterns.
Local storage technologies, like HTML5 and Flash, provide cookie-equivalent functionality but can store larger amounts of data, including on your device outside of your browser in connection with specific applications.
Web beacons, also known as pixel tags or clear GIFs, are used to demonstrate that a webpage or email was accessed or opened, or that certain content was viewed or clicked.
Location Information. If you have enabled location services on your phone and agree to the collection of your location (city, state, or geographic area) when prompted by the App, we will collect location data when you use the App even when closed or not in use; for example, to provide our fraud detection services. If you do not want us to collect this information, you may decline the collection of your location when prompted or adjust the location services settings on your device.

How We Use Your Information Collected

(a) General Use

We use the personal information collected through your use of the Services to provide and support the features you rely on, respond to your requests, and improve your overall experience. In connection with the App, we use your personal information to:

facilitate the creation of your account and secure and maintain your access
identify you as an authorized user
administer and enhance the Services
provide the Services you request
improve the quality of interactions with the Services
send you administrative notifications, such as security alerts, support updates, service advisories, surveys, offers, and other communications related to the Services.

(b) Compliance and Protection

We may use your personal information to:

comply with applicable laws, lawful requests, and legal processes, including responding to subpoenas or requests from government authorities
protect our rights, your rights, and the rights, privacy, safety, or property (including by making or defending legal claims)
audit our internal processes for compliance with legal, contractual, and policy requirements
enforce the terms and conditions that govern the Services
prevent, identify, investigate, or deter fraudulent, harmful, unauthorized, unethical, or illegal activity, including cyberattacks and identity theft.

(c) Creation of Non-Identifiable Data

The Services may create de-identified information records from personal information by excluding certain information (such as your name) that makes the information personally identifiable to you. We may use this information in a form that does not personally identify you to analyze request patterns and usage patterns to enhance our products and services. We reserve the right to use and disclose non-identifiable information to third parties in our discretion.

Disclosure Of Your Personal Information

We disclose your personal information collected through your use of the Services as described below.

(a) In Accordance with Our Other Privacy Notices

Other than as described in this Privacy Policy in connection with the App, this Privacy Policy does not apply to the processing of your information by us or third parties with whom we share information.

(b) Third Party Service Providers

We may share your personal information with third party or affiliated service providers that perform services for or on behalf of us in providing the Services (including the App), for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including: to provide you with the Services; to conduct quality assurance testing; to facilitate the creation of accounts; to optimize the performance of the Services; to provide technical support; and/or to provide other services supporting the App.

(c) Authorities and Others

Regardless of any choices you make regarding your personal information, we may disclose your personal information to law enforcement, government authorities, and private parties, for the compliance and protection services described above.

Your Choices Regarding Your Information

You have several choices regarding use of information on the Services.

(a) How We Respond to Do Not Track Signals

Some web browsers transmit “do not track” signals to the websites and other online services with which your web browser communicates. There is currently no standard that governs what, if anything, websites should do when they receive these signals. We currently do not act in response to these signals. If and when a standard is established, we may revise its policy on responding to these signals.

(b) Access, Update, or Correct Your Information

You can access, update, or correct your information by changing preferences in your account. For additional requests, please contact us.

(c) Opting Out of Email or SMS Communications

If you have signed-up to receive our email marketing communications, you can unsubscribe any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link included at the bottom of the email or other electronic communication. Alternatively, you can opt out of receiving marketing communications by contacting us at the contact information under “Contact Us” below. If you provide your phone number through the Services, we may send you notifications by SMS, such as provide a fraud alert. You may opt out of SMS communications by unlinking your mobile phone number through the Services.

(d) Opting Out of Location Tracking

If you initially consented to the collection of geo-location information through the Services, you can subsequently stop the collection of this information at any time by changing the preferences on your mobile device. Please note, however, that if you withdraw consent to our collection of location information, you may no longer be able to use some features of the App.

Children’s Online Privacy

We do not knowingly collect or use personal information from children under 13 on our website or anywhere else. The Services are not directed towards individuals under the age of 18, and we do not, through the App, intentionally collect personal information about visitors who are under the age of 18. If a child under 18 submits personal information through the App and we become aware of it, we will attempt to delete the information as soon as possible.

Safeguards and Retention

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures in an effort to safeguard the information in our custody and control against theft, loss and unauthorized access, use, modification, and disclosure. Nevertheless, transmission via the internet is not completely secure and we cannot guarantee the security of your information.

Federal laws and regulations require that US financial institutions retain original, active and historical records. Your personal and financial data will be retained for a period of five to ten years, depending on applicable laws, regulations and legitimate business needs.

Website Information

When you visit our website at seattlecu.com, we collect only the personal information that you choose to provide, such as when submitting feedback or completing a form. We may use cookies to enhance your experience, improve site design and content, and analyze usage patterns. These cookies do not collect any personal identification information. Cookies may also be used to track how you use the site to target ads to you on other websites.

Online Banking

When you access Online Banking, you voluntarily provide personal identifying information such as your account number and password. This information enables secure access to your accounts. We use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology and multi-factor identification to protect your information. Cookies are used during your login for session security purposes but do not store account or personal data.

Online Application Forms and Handling of Email

If you submit an online forms, applications, contest entries, or surveys, we may ask for personal information. These submissions are transmitted to us through secure data lines, and we store this information to respond and maintain records of our communications.

If you email us through our website or directly to a Seattle Credit Union email address, we collect the information you provide to respond and maintain a record of your message. Because standard internet email is not secure, it should not be used for sensitive inquiries. We will do our best to avoid including confidential account information when addressing your concerns in an email response.

Linked Sites

Our website may contain co-branded pages where both Seattle Credit Union and a service provider’s branding appear. We are not responsible for any information that you provide on those sites or for their content or privacy practices, though we make reasonable efforts to work with partners who maintain strong privacy standards. We also link to third-party informational or community resources. Before providing personal information to any linked sites, we encourage you to review its Privacy and Security Statements.

Seattle Credit Union App

The Seattle Credit Union App (the “App”)– powered by Fiserv – helps you control your credit and/or debit cards through your mobile device, making it easy to manage your finances on the go.

The App allows you to:

get real-time balances for your accounts
manage your money
view your transactions and statements
make transfers
pay your bills and manage billers
deposit a check
receive alerts
manage cards

App Links To Other Sites

The App may contain links to third-party websites. When you click on a link, you will leave the App, and another entity may collect personal or anonymous information. The App’s provision of a link to any other website or location is for your convenience and does not signify our endorsement of such other website or location or its contents. These sites are not controlled or reviewed by Seattle Credit Union, and this Privacy Policy does not apply to them. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any site you visit.

Privacy Policy Updates

This Privacy Policy is subject to occasional revision. We will notify you of any material changes in its collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information by posting a notice on the Services. Any material changes to this Privacy Policy will be effective thirty (30) calendar days following notice of the changes on the Services. These changes will be effective immediately for new users of the Services. If you object to any such changes, you must notify us prior to the effective date of such changes that you wish to deactivate your account. Continued use of the Services following notice of any such changes shall indicate your acknowledgement of such changes.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or complaints about this Privacy Policy or SCU’s data collection or processing practices related to the App, or if you want to report any security violations to SCU, please contact us by email at: support@seattlecu.com; or by mail at: PO Box 780, Seattle, WA 98111.

Online Security, Safety, and Fraud Prevention Tips

Anti-Phishing Information

Phishing occurs when someone attempts to obtain your personal information by posing as a trusted website, email, text, or representative of an institution. Seattle Credit Union will never ask you for sensitive information such as your Social Security number, PINs, or passwords by phone, email, or text. If you receive any request for this type of information, contact us right away.

Protecting Your Information Online

Although no system can provide perfect security, we have policies and procedures to help protect your personal and financial information. We do not sell your account information. We may share limited information with third parties, as permitted by law, to enhance our products and services or meet regulatory requirements.

Website and Browser Security

To use our website securely, your browser needs to be kept current. Our websites use digital certificates, encryption, and time-sensitive session cookies to support member transactions. Browsers must support Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 3.0 or higher. SSL helps ensure that you are connecting with Seattle Credit Union and that your information is transmitted securely.

Even with these protections in place, you should use updated software, security tools such as antivirus and anti-malware, and trusted networks while accessing online services.

Website Security Tips

Monitor your account activity regularly. Report any suspicious activity to Seattle Credit Union immediately.
Always log out of online banking instead of closing the browser
Only use secure websites that display https
Verify that website security indicators are current
Confirm that encryption and other protections are in place before entering information

Mobile Security Tips

If you access our website or mobile app from a mobile device, take steps to secure that device in the event it is lost or stolen.

Use a password or passcode to lock your device to prevent unauthorized access.
After each session, be sure to log out completely to guard against unauthorized access.
Do not store your Online Banking password on your device or allow the app or website to remember your password.
Install updates for the mobile app when they are available.

Account and Password Security

Seattle Credit Union will never contact you to request your access ID, password, or other login credentials. If you receive such a request, do not provide any information and notify us immediately.

To keep your login information secure:

Do not share your username or password with anyone. Keep credentials in a secure place that only you have access.
Use a unique username and password for every website and do not use the same credentials for multiple sites.
Use a strong password with upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.
Change your password on a regular basis.

Recognizing and Reporting Suspicious Activity

If you notice suspicious activity on your account or receive a suspicious call, email, or letter, notify us as soon as possible. Under Regulation E, consumers have protections related to unauthorized electronic fund transfers. These protections depend on timely detection and reporting. Review your account activity regularly. The disclosure provided to you at the time of account opening provides detailed information. We will provide you, upon request, with a free copy of this disclosure.

Avoid Website Spoofing

Website spoofing happens when a fraudulent site is created to look like a trusted site. The goal of spoofing is to trick customers, or members in our case, into supplying personally identifiable information (PII).

To protect yourself:

Always check for “https” in the URL. This indicates that the site is secure and you are safe to proceed.
Review the website’s URL. If anything appears unusual, leave the site.
Look for warning signs such as blurry logos, spelling and grammatical errors.
Be cautious when using search engines. Fake websites may appear along legitimate websites in the search results.
Visit the FBI’s website for more information on spoofing and phishing.

Computer and Network Security

Use reputable security software with antivirus, antimalware, and firewall functions
Use built-in security features on your computer, including separate user accounts
Keep your operating system up to date
Password protect your home or wireless network

Staying Informed

These tips and resources can help you better understand online transaction risks such as fraud, account takeover, and identity theft. Staying informed is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself online.

Helpful Links

For users of all ages and interests, visit onguardonline.gov.
Find consumer alerts and online security tips on the FTC website at ftc.gov.
For recent scams and information on how to report them, visit the IC3 website, a partnership between the FBI, the National White Collar Crime Center, and the Bureau of Justice, at ic3.gov.
For additional information about scams, fraud, and tips to avoid becoming a victim, visit the FBI website at fbi.gov.

Information for Business Users of Online Services

Business transactions can involve higher levels of risk due to the frequency and dollar amounts of activity. Small and medium-sized businesses are particularly targeted for online account takeovers and unauthorized transfers.

Regulators encourage business users to:

Conduct periodic risk assessments.
Evaluate the effectiveness of existing controls.
Understand the security features of the software and websites they use.
Use segregation of duties wherever possible.
Consider additional layers of security such as transaction thresholds, outofband verification, fraud monitoring, and IPbased controls.

More information is available from the FTC Business Center at ftc.gov.

Intellectual Property

© 2024 Seattle Credit Union. All rights reserved. You may not copy, display, or transmit the contents of this website in any form. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Unauthorized use of materials may violate copyright, trademark, or other laws. See our Intellectual Property page for more information.