FACTS:  WHAT DOES CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING SERVICE OF THE MIDWEST,  INC. d/b/a APPRISEN DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

WHY?  Financial organizations choose how they share your personal information.  Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing.  Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information.  Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

WHAT? The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us.  This information can include:

• Social Security Number                                                                                                   
• Employment information                                              
• Credit card or other debt information
• Income and Expense information
• Asset and liability information, including mortgage
• Information
• Credit history and credit scores (if you signed a release permitting us to obtain your credit report)
• Information from creditor you provide to us
• Information from creditors that we contact on your behalf (with your authorization)

When you are no longer our client, we may continue to share your information as described in this notice or as provided for by law.

HOW? All financial companies need to share personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their personal information; the reasons Apprisen chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.                         

For our everyday business purposes

Such as to process your transactions, maintain your

account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations.

Does Apprisen Share: Yes

Can you limit this sharing: No

For our marketing purposes

To offer our products and services to you

Does Apprisen Share: Yes

Can you limit this sharing: Yes

For joint marketing with other financial

Organizations

Does Apprisen Share: No

Can you limit this sharing: We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

Information about your transactions and experiences

Does Apprisen Share: No

Can you limit this sharing: We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

Information about your creditworthiness

Does Apprisen Share: No

Can you limit this sharing: We don’t share

For our affiliates to market to you

Does Apprisen Share: No

Can you limit this sharing: We don’t share

For nonaffiliates to market to you

Does Apprisen Share: No

Can you limit this sharing: We don’t share

TO LIMIT OUR SHARING:          

• Call toll-free (800) 355-2227
• Email your request to [email protected]

Please note:

If you are a new client, we may begin sharing your information 30 days from the date we sent this notice.  When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

However, you may contact us at any time to limit our sharing.

QUESTIONS:  Call toll-free (800) 355-2227 or visit www.apprisen.com

How does protect my personal information?       

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law.  These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

Also, Apprisen only allows its employees, persons or companies that you specify by written request or consent, or other parties as required or permitted by law, to access your information.

How does Apprisen collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you:

• seek financial advice
• give us your income information
• give us your contact information
• provide employment information
• provide account information

We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

• sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes
• affiliates from using your information to market to you
• sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing

What if I hold an account jointly with someone else?

Your choices will apply to everyone on your account

DEFINITIONS:

Affiliates - Companies related by common ownership or control.  They can be financial and nonfinancial     companies. Apprisen does not share with affiliates.

Nonaffiliates - Companies not related by common ownership or control.  They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. Apprisen does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing - A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.  Apprisen does not jointly market with nonaffiliated companies.

Please read the following statements carefully so that you will understand the procedures for the workshop. Check the box at the end to confirm you have read the statement. For simplification the singular is used even when the plural may apply.

• I understand Apprisen will provide a comprehensive housing education workshop.
• I understand that I am not obligated to receive, purchase, or use any other services in order to receive counseling. Other products/services offered by Apprisen may be available through other sources.
• I understand the Client Bill of Rights and Non-Discrimination Policy as defined on the bottom of this text.
• I understand that in the event I am dissatisfied, I can utilize the Complaint Resolution Process as outlined on the bottom of this text.
•  I understand that most of the agency funding comes from voluntary contributions from creditors who participate in Debt Management Plans (DMP). Since creditors have a financial interest in being paid, most are willing to make a contribution to help fund this agency. The agency will work with all creditors regardless of whether they contribute to the agency.
• I understand that if I receive counseling relating to housing issues, information about my counseling session may be shared with funding sources for reporting and billing purposes. Funding sources could include the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), or State Housing Grants Authorities.
• I hold the agency, its employees, agents and volunteers harmless from any claim, suit, action or demand of my creditors, myself or any other person resulting from advice or counseling.
• I understand that I will be given handouts/materials during this workshop on topics related to:
• The realtor’s role in the home buying process.
• Budgeting.
• The role of the lender.
•  I understand that Apprisen may periodically share aggregated case file information for research and grant reporting requirements. All data shared in this manner is anonymous and has all personal identifying information removed.

Release:
I hereby authorize Apprisen to release all non-public information it obtains about me to third parties necessary to resolve the matter(s) discussed during the workshop.

Client Bill of Rights:
We pledge that our clients have the right:

• To prompt counseling services for managing money based on their financial situation;
• To be treated with dignity and respect;
• To be actively involved in a comprehensive assessment of their financial situation including an appropriate action plan;
• To express dissatisfaction through a Complaint Resolution Process;
• To discontinue their relationship with our agency at any time;
• To ask questions and have concerns addressed.

Non-Discrimination Policy:
Our Service serves all members of this community. We do not engage in the practices of discrimination in the selection and participation of clients in our programs or services with respect to race, religion, color, gender, national origin or handicap.
Complaint Resolution Process:
We are committed to providing you with high quality professional service. However, if you are not satisfied with the services provided or if you want to make a complaint, we ask that you follow these guidelines:
• Step One: Try to resolve the issue with the staff member involved giving him or her specific information about your complaint.
• Step Two: If Step One is not possible or the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction call (800) 355-2227 and ask to be directed to the appropriate supervisor. The supervisor may request a meeting with you (phone or face-to-face) or seek more information from a staff person. The supervisor will respond within 3 business days to inform you that the issue is being researched.
• Step Three: If your issue is still unresolved you may appeal in writing directly to the President, at 700 Taylor Rd Ste 190. Gahanna, OH 43230. After additional fact finding, you will receive a concluding decision within 15 days.