TeleCheck Online Privacy Statement
OUR COMMITMENT TO PRIVACY Protecting consumer privacy is very important to us. Our Online Privacy Statement is available to inform you about our collection and use of non-public personal information about consumers so that you, as a consumer, are aware of how your own non-public personal information is collected and used. We believe that information used responsibly benefits consumers and the economy, whether it is information we house on consumers conducting transactions or consumer information we collect on behalf of or from our customers. For example, we use consumer information every day to ensure fast and accurate approval and processing of payment transactions, including check and credit and debit card transactions.
The policies outlined below guide us in the collection and use of non-public personal information as well as employee responsibilities in protecting your privacy. We use non-public personal information about consumers only in a manner consistent with these policies. TeleCheck is also a consumer reporting agency as defined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA"), a federal law enacted to protect consumers from inappropriate use of certain of their personal information. In addition to TeleCheck's own privacy policy, TeleCheck's use of certain personal information about consumers is also subject to the requirements of the FCRA.
COLLECTION OF INFORMATION TeleCheck collects personal information about consumers in order to offer or provide fee items to consumers and our customers. The types of information TeleCheck collects include:
Application information, including assets and income and credit and debit card and bank account information. Identifying information, including name, telephone number, street and/or email address, and social, driver's license or other identification numbers or data. Transaction information, including account balance, payment history, nonpayment history, collection history, parties to the transaction, time, date, location and dollar amount of transaction and check, debit and credit card usage and account information. Consumer Report information, including credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living. We may obtain this information from a variety of sources including:
From consumers, including from consumer applications, questionnaires and other materials submitted directly or indirectly to us by consumers or our customers; From transactions and interactions in which TeleCheck and consumers, or our customers, affiliates or others and consumers are involved; and From a variety of third-party sources, such as our business customers, government repositories (including public record data), privately owned repositories, consumer reporting agencies and financial institutions.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TeleCheck does not disclose nonpublic personal information to third parties except as authorized or permitted by law, including the FCRA. Uses of information expressly authorized by the FCRA include:
Disclosure in response to the order of a court having jurisdiction to issue such an order or a subpoena issued in connection with proceedings before a Federal grand jury. Disclosure in accordance with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates. Disclosure to a person which TeleCheck has reason to believe - intends to use the information in connection with a credit transaction involving the consumer on whom the information is to be furnished and involving the extension of credit to, or review or collection of an account of, the consumer; or intends to use the information for employment purposes; or intends to use the information in connection with the underwriting of insurance involving the consumer; or intends to use the information in connection with a determination of the consumer's eligibility for a license or other benefit granted by a governmental instrumentality required by law to consider an applicant's financial responsibility or status; or intends to use the information, as a potential investor or servicer, or current insurer, in connection with a valuation of, or an assessment of the credit or prepayment risks associated with, an existing credit obligation; or otherwise has a legitimate business need for the information - (i) in connection with a business transaction that is initiated by the consumer; or (ii) to review an account to determine whether the consumer continues to meet the terms of the account. The foregoing disclosures may consist of the following:
Financial background information describing a customer's financial status; Identification information, such as name and address data; Transaction information, such as account activity, debit activity or credit activity; and Other information relating to financial matters.
RECIPIENTS OF INFORMATION TeleCheck will only disclose nonpublic personal information in the following situations:
Disclosure to companies that perform services to TeleCheck or functions on behalf of TeleCheck. Disclosures necessary to effect, administer, or enforce a transaction requested or authorized by a consumer (including enforcing rights related to a financial transaction or product or service, or to authorize, bill, process, clear, transfer, reconcile or collect a financial transaction). Disclosures to service or process a financial product or service requested by the consumer. Disclosure to protect against or prevent actual or potential fraud, or unauthorized transactions, claims or liability. Disclosure to or from a consumer reporting agency (in accordance with the FCRA). In addition, under federal law TeleCheck is permitted to disclose personal information to certain recipients, including credit reporting agencies.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL CONSUMER INFORMATION TeleCheck limits access to nonpublic personal information regarding its current and former customers to those employees of TeleCheck and its affiliates who need it to fulfill their business responsibilities. Employees must adhere to the requirements of the FCRA and TeleCheck's privacy policies. Employees violating these laws or policies may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Vendors and other outside contractors we engage are subject to our contractual requirements to ensure that sensitive nonpublic personal information is safeguarded.
WE USE APPROPRIATE SECURITY SAFEGUARDS At TeleCheck, security is a priority. We employ appropriate measures to protect consumer information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration or destruction. These may include, among others, encryption, physical access security and other appropriate technologies. TeleCheck continually reviews and enhances its security systems, as necessary.
WE MAINTAIN PROCEDURES TO ASSURE THE QUALITY OF INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND WHERE APPLICABLE, WE WILL INFORM CONSUMERS ABOUT HOW THEY CAN ACCESS THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION AND MAKE CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY TeleCheck employs appropriate measures to assure the quality of information we collect. Pursuant to the FCRA, upon a consumer's request, TeleCheck permits a consumer to obtain a copy of their credit report and certain of the sources of the information contained in the consumer report TeleCheck maintains with respect to the consumer, and to dispute or correct inaccurate or incomplete information, or unverifiable information, contained in the credit report. You may request a copy of your consumer report by writing to
TeleCheck Services, Inc.,
5251 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77056
or by contacting one of our customer service representatives at 1-800-366-2425. You will need to provide your state driver's license number, Social Security number, and/or bank (MICR) numbers from the bottom of your check so that we can access your credit report. To protect your privacy and security, we will require proper identification before granting access or making corrections. We reserve the right to assess a service charge for providing you with this information, subject to the FCRA.
TELECHECK'S WEBSITE IS NOT DIRECTED AT CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13 Our website is not directed at children under the age of 13 and TeleCheck does not collect or maintain information at our website from those we actually know are under the age of 13.
TELECHECK'S WEBSITE MAY BE LINKED TO OTHER WEBSITES TeleCheck may create links to third party websites. TeleCheck is not responsible for the content or privacy practices employed by websites that are linked from our website.
WE HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE TO OUR PRIVACY PRINCIPLES TeleCheck is committed to meeting the highest standards for our privacy program. To that end, TeleCheck has appointed a senior official, who serves as the company-wide officer with responsibility for the administration and implementation of the TeleCheck privacy program.
The TeleCheck officer, working closely with individual business units, is responsible for:
Administering employee privacy training and employee compliance related to TeleCheck's Privacy Policies; Conducting periodic assessments of TeleCheck's compliance with its Privacy Policies, as well as specific implementation policies and procedures; and Ensuring that TeleCheck actively participates in appropriate privacy activities, including self-regulatory initiatives. If you have any questions or comments about the TeleCheck Online Privacy Statement, or for some reason believe we have not adhered to our statement, please contact:
TeleCheck Corporate Headquarters
1-800-835-3243
This TeleCheck Online Privacy Statement is currently only applicable to our website customers and visitors in the United States. As we develop websites for international audiences, they may adopt additional rules and practices consistent with this statement to conform to the policies or requirements of those countries. We may alter this statement as needed for certain products and services and to abide by local laws or regulations around the world. TeleCheck reserves the right to amend or modify this statement from time to time. We urge you to review this statement whenever you visit in order to obtain the most current statement.