Privacy Policy

Privacy Statement

The privacy of our Clients and their Customers is of paramount importance to Choice Mercantile.

CHOICE is committed to the protection of personal privacy and treats all information as confidential.

CHOICE has strict adherence to and collects information in accordance with the Privacy Act and the National Privacy Principles.

Collection of Information

CHOICE gathers its preliminary information from its clients. Clients generally obtain this information from their own customers directly, or from their agents or intermediaries.

Information gathered by CHOICE during the course of its activities comes from sources such as paper trails and legal searches e.g. the electronic white pages. Other sources of information may also come from third parties, such as referees with a connection to the person.

The personal information collected by CHOICE may include details such as:

• name
• age
• gender
• contact information
• date of birth
• driver’s licence details
• employment history
• business history
• financial history including income

The type of information collected will depend on the requirements of CHOICE clients.

How We Use The Information

We will use the information we collect to provide the service that has been requested from us.

Further, the information collected will be used for the purpose of our business, that being the investigation and location of persons, collection of arrears and asset repossession, debt collection and process service for the finance and business sector.

Security of Information

CHOICE will take all reasonable steps to protect personal information we hold about our Clients Customers from unauthorised access, use and disclosure. Personal information is usually used or disclosed only after obtaining consent.

CHOICE operates a database system (KNOWALL) and access to this system is only available to clients and authorised personnel by an encrypted password. All the staff at CHOICE are required to enter confidentiality agreements and review of the privacy laws are regularly provided to CHOICE staff. This ensures that CHOICE staff are aware of the sensitive nature of the data and information that CHOICE handle and are aware of the consequences if they breach the Privacy Act or other relevant legislation.

Client: When receiving information from our Client in relation to their customer we take that as implied consent. Consent can be expressed or implied. Expressed consent can be verbal or written. Implied consent can be some action that is taken or when action is not taken.

Disclosure of Information

We may disclose information to a third party such as another debt collector, investigator, or assessor who is contractually required to comply with our privacy obligations.

Personal information may be accessed by our Clients Customers upon request. Where possible the request will be dealt with immediately although we may request that they submit a “Letter of Authority” to our office via fax or email.

Due to the nature of the particular data and information collected by CHOICE, some personal information may be disclosed or passed on to third parties but only where there is valid reason for that to happen or as necessary to carry out CHOICE’ business or required by law or other legislative or legal processes.

Third parties to whom information may be disclosed include, but are not limited to:

• auditors
• solicitors and other professional consultants
• government department or agencies (where required or authorised by Law).

CHOICE will not disclose information about person or clients in circumstances other than those described above without prior consent. The only exception to this rule is where disclosure is necessary to prevent injury to life or health, to investigate any suspected unlawful activity or where it may be required by law such as in a response to a warrant, subpoena or other legal process.

Privacy Complaints

If you have any concerns about how we handle personal information or require further information please contact our office.