Your Data Rights with Paramount Bank
Your personal information is personal! The information we collect when processing your loan is only used for the direct purpose of securing your mortgage. We do not share your information with anyone not involved in processing, underwriting or servicing your loan. In addition, we use proven methods to protect all of the data and information we collect
1. We do not use your personal information for any purpose other than approving your loan.
2. We do not give your information to anyone other than your loan servicer.
3. We do not sell your personal information.
4. We do not endorse anyone to market to you on our behalf.
When a mortgage is taken out on a property, the Deed of Trust becomes public record. Your deed includes your name, address, loan amount, marital status, and the name of the company making the loan. If you have an Adjustable Rate loan the rate, change date, caps, and margin of the ARM are included.
Why are we telling you all of this? We want you to protect yourself and make informed decisions. You will receive direct mail that references “Paramount Bond & Mortgage Co.” that is not from us. Other companies want you to think they are associated with us because of implied trust. Unless you see our Paramount Bank logo — it is not from us. Any direct correspondence will include our logo, address and our phone number.
If you have any questions regarding this, please do not hesitate to ask. We’re always here for you.
Top Tips to Avoid Identity Theft
FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras testified before congress that consumers were paying $5 Billion dollars annually to cover Identity Theft losses. Businesses are covering the other $47 Billion, which results in higher costs to the consumers.
Here are some ways you can protect your identity:
1. Shred personal documents: anything that has your social security number, credit card number or other personal identifying information. Also, shred credit card offers received in the mail, or anything with a “you have been pre-approved” message.
2. Don’t respond to “phishing” or requests for personal information via e-mail or telephone. Potential ID snatchers send emails with your bank logo requesting you to “update your account.” Never give this information if solicited. Contact your bank or credit card company directly by using the number on your card.
3. Review your credit card and bank statements thoroughly. If anything seems unusual, check it out.
4. Change your drivers license number so your social security number is not on it.
5. Do not print your social security number on your checks.
6. Make a copy “front and back” of all cards in your wallet including your license, credit cards, store cards, insurance cards, etc. In case you wallet goes missing, you have a record of the contents and the contact numbers for your cards.
Unsolicited Offers of Credit
The bad news: Credit Bureaus are selling your personal information.
The good news: you can stop that from happening!
When a consumer applies for a mortgage or other credit, the repositories track that information and sell “hot leads” to solicitors. Your personal information and the type of credit you applied for is then used to target you. The simple solution to protect your personal data is to “Opt Out”. The Credit Bureaus give consumers the choice to “Opt-Out” of pre-screened offers, which keeps your data from being sold.
Log on to www.optoutprescreen.com or call 888-567-8688 if you wish to opt out of pre-screened offers of credit and insurance.
