Privacy protection

Protecting your personal information. 

What we collect.

When you choose to bank with Vancity, you are asked to give us permission to collect personal and anonymous information from you, both directly from you and from the product and service arrangements you make with or through us.

We only collect personal information with your express or implied consent. This includes but not limited to:

  • Email address
  • SIN number
  • Device ID and IP addresses
  • Domain name
  • Frequented web pages
  • Web pages most interacted with

We also obtain information from the credit reporting agencies, other financial institutions and from the references you authorize us to contact.

Why we collect.

The personal information we collect about you helps us:

  • Match you to the right products and services.
  • Determine your eligibility for products like loans
  • Ensure high service standards
  • Meet regulatory requirements
  • Verify your identity
  • Protect you from fraud

How we collect information.

Opting out.

You can choose to opt-out of receiving marketing and communication materials from us. Make a request for an opt-out form at any branch or call our Member Services Centre. You can also use our online Opt Out Form. Opt-out requests may require up to six weeks to take effect and do not affect your eligibility for products or services.

Steps we take to protect you.

Vancity has a robust privacy and security framework, and we have implemented several privacy practices and procedures to prevent unauthorized access, use or manipulation of your personal information, including:

  • Requiring all employees sign a confidentiality agreement and undergo training to deal with confidentiality requirements around sensitive financial information and appropriate safeguarding procedures
  • Identifying clear lines of accountability for any and all privacy and security incidents
  • Implementing electronic security measures such as passwords, pass codes, multi-factor authentication and, where necessary, encryption
  • Limiting physical access to secure areas in our buildings
  • Limiting information access to only those employees that need it to provide you with services
  • Requiring contractual agreements with our business partners to ensure confidentiality

To further protect against unauthorized access to your accounts, our online banking system is designed to automatically log you off after an extended period of inactivity. If this happens, you will be required to log in again to resume your online banking transactions.

How you can protect yourself.

You can help ensure that your personal information is accurate, up to date and protected in a few simple steps:

  • Keep confidential your account information, member card #, user ID, online banking password, in-branch member identification code (MIC) and other personal information
  • Review your monthly account statements thoroughly and report suspicious activity to us immediately
  • Verify the identity of any person asking for your personal information by phone before you provide information, including anyone calling from Vancity
  • Refrain from using unsecured email to send sensitive or confidential information
  • Log off your online applications when you are finished conducting business online, so that no one else can enter your accounts
  • Update your software and operating system – including your personal firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware protection – on a regular basis
  • Shred unwanted printed financial and account information – like a bank statement or receipts – so that they don’t fall into someone else’s hands

  • Update your address and contact information as soon as you move

     

FAQs.