HCUA Privacy Policy
Welcome to the Heartland Credit Union Association's website. The Heartland Credit Union Association ("HCUA") has designed its website to be a resource about credit unions for use by the general public. In addition, HCUA maintains this site as a valuable business tool for its member credit unions. We respect your right to privacy and will protect it when you visit our website. This page explains how we handle information about you when you visit and use our site. HCUA provides this website as a public service - you do not have to provide any personal information in order to browse many of the pages. Log-in may be required for certain information requests. The extent and type of information we receive depends on what you do while you are visiting our website.
HCUA does collect personal information about you when you visit our website. We use this information to specifically fulfill your request for information or services and to deliver specialized communications to you based on your preferences and user activity.
Because the privacy of our members and other visitors to this website is of the utmost importance, HCUA has adopted the following policies:
Security Notification
This system is owned and operated by Heartland Credit Union Association (HCUA). This system may be used only for authorized purposes. HCUA may monitor and audit the usage of this system, and all persons accessing this system are hereby notified that the use of this system constitutes consent to such monitoring and auditing. Unauthorized attempts to upload, download, or otherwise access or retrieve information and/or change information on this web site is strictly prohibited and is subject to prosecution under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 1001 and 1030.
Legal Disclaimer
By using this site, you are acknowledging that you have read, understand, and accept the terms set forth in this Policy. Inasmuch as Internet technologies and Internet business methods are continuing to evolve HCUA reserves the right to change or modify the contents of this website at any time and without notice. HCUA assumes no liability for such changes or modifications. While HCUA endeavors to provide up-to-date information and functions, HCUA cannot guarantee and expressly does not warrant that such information or functions are up-to-date, error-free or that user access to the website will be uninterrupted or that material accessible from this site is free of viruses. This site, including all of its contents, software, functions and information made available on or accessed through this site, is provided "as is" and HCUA and its subsidiaries and affiliates make no representations or warranties of any kind whatsoever for the contents on this site or the information and functions made accessible through this site.
Any material and information provided by any user to this site may be included in any database owned by HCUA and our subsidiaries and affiliates in which we have rights and interest. HCUA reserves the right to use any information you provide to us or that is obtained through your use of this website to the fullest extent permitted by law. User shall not transmit any material or information to this site that infringes on any copyright or other proprietary rights of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated on this website, duplication of information found within this site, is prohibited without express written permission from HCUA. Any modification or redistribution of the material within this website is a violation of applicable copyright laws. Information is subject to change without notice.
The public portions of this website are a resource of general information. The public information provided on this website is intended, but not promised or guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up-to-date. The public information is not intended be a source of legal advice and you should not rely on the information on this site in place of the advice of competent counsel. This website is not sponsored or associated with any particular linked entity unless specifically stated. The existence of any particular link is simply intended to imply potential interest to the reader and inclusion of a link should not be construed as an endorsement.
Statistical Information Collected and Stored Automatically
Date and Time of Access
Our website automatically records website usage information that we analyze statistically to track operational problems, to prevent fraud and to improve the effectiveness, security and integrity of the site. This information does not identify you personally and we do not use this information to track or record information about individuals. We will disclose this information to third parties only in aggregate form or as may be required by law. For each page that you visit, we may collect and store the following technical information in what is called a web server log file:
- URL address of the FCC webpage visited
- Internet domain and IP address from which our website was accessed
- Type of browser and operating system used to access our site (if provided by the browser)
- URL address of the referring page (if provided by the browser)
- Completion or success status of the request for a web page or other on-line item
- File size of the webpage visited
For the purpose of enabling better website design and a better user experience, we employ Google Analytics (a web service by Google, Inc.) to track site traffic and provide aggregate reports of how the public interacts with our website. In utilizing this analytics service, HCUA maintains its existing standards in regards to the sharing and disclosure of information, security and privacy safeguards for the data, and the data retention policy, each described below. Google Analytics analyzes website usage information automatically upon visits to HCUA’s websites. Users who do not wish to have their visit information collected by Google Analytics may opt-out by downloading a browser extension or by disabling cookies in their browser settings. Opting-out of web measurements will still permit users to access the full HeartlandCUA.org website, with all included information and functionality.
Information You Provide Voluntarily
If you voluntarily provide us with personal information, for example by sending an e-mail or by filling out a form and submitting it through our Website, you are indicating voluntary consent for us to use the information you are submitting to respond to your message and to help us provide you with the information and services that you have requested. We make every effort to disclose clearly how information is used at the point where it is collected so that our users can determine for themselves whether they wish to provide the information.
Sharing and Disclosure of Information
Your submission, including personal information, may be shared within the HCUA organization as well as with other organizations that may, from time to time, be assisting HCUA in its efforts.
We do not collect, give, sell or rent any personal information to third parties for commercial marketing.
Retention of Information
We may retain electronically submitted information as long as necessary to respond to your request. Computer web server logs may be preserved as long as administratively necessary and are scheduled for destruction in accordance with guidelines approved by NARA. The information in the logs may be used at any time as necessary to prevent security breaches and to insure the integrity of the data on our servers.
If you use an on-line form to receive filing software or to register for informational e-mail updates, or for other purposes, information you provide may be retained so that we can notify you about changes or upgrades, where appropriate.
Security of Personal Information
We use commercial encryption techniques to protect the transmission and storage of the information you submit to us when you use one of our secure online forms. E-mail that you send to us is not necessarily secure against third-party interception or misdirection. For your own protection, you may wish to communicate sensitive information using a method other than e-mail.
For website security purposes and to ensure that our website remains available to all users, HCUA computer systems that support the website use industry-standard methods and software to monitor and audit network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. Anyone visiting our website expressly consents to such monitoring and auditing.
Links to Other Sites
Our website contains links to the websites of other organizations that are outside of our control. When you follow a link to another site, you leave the HCUA site and your website interactions are no longer protected by our privacy policy. Before leaving the HCUA website, a page will be displayed informing you that you are leaving our website. The HCUA is not responsible for, and does not endorse the privacy or security practices and content of non-HCUA websites.
Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored by a website or service on a user's computer that allows the website or service to recognize the user's unique computer. You can remove or block cookies by changing the settings on your browser.
The HCUA website sometimes uses cookies. These session cookies are temporarily stored on your computer's hard drive and are automatically erased after a specified period of time. Information from these cookies is not collected or saved. Some of the interactive sections of our website may set session cookies in temporary memory in order to provide streamlined navigation.
Some videos embedded in the HCUA website may set a persistent cookie when you click to play the video. These cookies are stored on your computer's hard drive and allow the third party video provider to record and track the website that you have visited and which videos you have played. The third party video service provider uses this information, among other things, to maintain accurate statistics of video use and to customize the video service for individual users. Further information regarding the handling of these cookies is available in the privacy statements available on the video providers' websites.
For the purposes of improving the services delivered via HeartlandCUA.org, all visitors will periodically be given the opportunity to provide feedback about the website. During periods when feedback is collected, a visitor's browser will automatically set a persistent cookie to register that a user has been presented with the opportunity to provide this feedback, and to avoid repeatedly requesting feedback on subsequent visits. Pursuant to these guidelines, the Chairman's Office has issued a waiver to allow this use of persistent cookies when regarding the website's feedback mechanism.
Personalization and Registration
Some HCUA electronic systems such as event registration or e-mail newsletters, allow you to customize how you interact with them in order to enhance service and add personalized functionality. In order to use these systems and make use of this functionality, individuals and entities doing business with HCUA must obtain a user identification number (Link to request an account). This unique number is used to identify your personal information and preferences in dealings with HCUA.
Photo Consent
By registering for any event, you grant the Heartland Credit Union Association (HCUA) permission to use your likeness in a photograph in any and all of its publications, including website entries, without payment or any other consideration. You understand and agree that these materials will become the property of the Heartland Credit Union Association and will not be returned. You hereby irrevocably authorize the Heartland Credit Union Association to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish or distribute this photo for purposes of publicizing programs or for any other lawful purpose. In addition, you waive the right to inspect or approve the finished product, including written or electronic copy, wherein my likeness appears. Additionally, you waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the photograph. You hereby hold harmless and release and forever discharge the Heartland Credit Union Association from all claims, demands, and causes of action which you, your heirs, representatives, executors, administrators, or any other persons acting on your behalf or on behalf of your estate have or may have by reason of this authorization.
Photos and Video Submitted by Outside Party
The Heartland Credit Union Association (HCUA), from time to time, will publish photos sent to us in conjunction with press release submissions from member credit unions and affiliated organizations. If a photo/video you've submitted features people who are readily identifiable, it is your responsibility to get consent from any party prior to sending it to us for publication. If you submit a photo or video to use with an article or press release your request be published, it is your responsibility to maintain photo consent records for any materials. Submitter will defend HCUA against any or all suits related to publishing the photograph, and will hold the publisher harmless for any real or perceived errors of omission.
HCUA will not knowingly publish photos of anyone under the age of 21. By submitting your photograph, you consent that all recognizable people in each photo are over the age of 21.
Images cannot be edited in any way which changes the truth of the image. This means:
- There should be no additions or deletions to the image.
- Entities within the image should not be brought closer together or placed further apart.
- The image should not be inverted
- No excessive lightening or darkening of the image or coloring of the image should be employed which might change the truth of the image e.g. darkening clouds to make them look thunderous when it was in fact a nice summer’s day.
In submitting photos to HCUA, submitters assign to HCUA the right to use the photo in subsequent issues of the publication in which it appears, whether in print or electronic format.
Security
Create Strong Passwords
Passwords are one of the many defenses in place to protect your sensitive information from getting into the wrong hands. Hacking or guessing your password is one of the most basic tactics a cyber criminal will use to gain access to your accounts. Password tips include:
- Create different passwords for different websites.
- Change your passwords every few months.
- Don't write your password where others can see it.
- Don't include your name in the password.
- Don't use words from the dictionary in your password.
Protect Your Computer and Mobile Devices
All browsers are susceptible to malware and browser security problems. One the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself from these threats is to ensure your browser is up to date.
Why download the latest browser?
- Surf the web with confidence, knowing you've got the latest security updates.
- Enjoy a faster and better experience with the new browser features.
Get your updates now.
Supported Browsers:
Security software suites and firewalls are useful tools that can help you maintain a healthy and secure computer. Keeping these up-to date will provide the best experience and protection.
Viruses and Spyware
Viruses and spyware can take over your system, slow it down and put your data, privacy, Internet accounts and even personal data at risk. Antivirus software scans your computer for viruses and deletes them. Additionally, it monitors your computer and incoming email for malicious files and stops them from taking effect. Do your research online to determine what product best meets your needs.
Malicious Internet Traffic
Keeping malicious Internet traffic away from your computer is another important way to protect yourself online. A firewall is the gate keeper between your computer and the Internet. Firewalls control your access to the Internet and, more importantly, the Internet's access to your computer. Set your security software to download the latest virus definitions automatically and scan your computer weekly. Do your research online to determine what product best meets your needs.
Protect Your Mobile Devices
Just like your personal computer, your mobile device needs attention to ensure your information is safe and secure. Take the following actions to secure your mobile devices. Keep your mobile device OS and applications up to date. For an iPhone® or iPad®, use iTunes or the settings to check for updates. For an Android® mobile device, check your device settings for OS updates. Your device's application store will generally keep you aware of any required application updates. If your mobile device supports a password or PIN to restrict access, you should use one. This prevents someone being able to access your device without first getting past your PIN or pass code.
