Legal

Your Privacy & Personal Data Security

Learn how Mortgage-Tek collects, uses, and safeguards your financial and personal information. We are committed to maintaining strict data privacy, ensuring transparency in compliance with UK GDPR, and protecting your confidential details throughout your mortgage journey.

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Privacy Policy

Mortgage Tek respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal information when you use our website, contact us, submit an enquiry or request service information.

1. Who we are

Mortgage-Tek (Mortgagetek Ltd) is an FCA-authorised UK broker based in Watford, specializing in tailored mortgages for first-time buyers, self-employed individuals, and day-rate contractors.

2. Personal information we collect

We currently collect and process the following information: Information we collect directly. Information we collect directly Mortgage Customers

We are a mortgage broker and our primary job is to find the best mortgage for you. When you contact us, we will ask you questions about your personal information, property history, and financial circumstances. Your answers will determine the additional questions we ask because different lenders have different criteria. We will always explain the process and address any queries you have regarding the information required.

When you apply for a mortgage with us, we will gather your direct debit information and share it with your lender. If any expenses are associated with the chosen products, like a valuation fee, we will request your payment details.

Mortgage lenders have their own privacy notices and are responsible for your personal data. They may use your information to assess your creditworthiness and may impact your credit score. We’ll always notify you about this process. We’ll also give you a heads up before any funds are debited from your accounts.

Insurance Customers

We provide life insurance and building and contents insurance to our mortgage customers. When customers are interested in life insurance, we collect health information to help the insurers determine coverage and premiums.

We collect customer information and potential vulnerabilities to comply with FCA regulations regarding vulnerable customers. Learn more about our obligations to vulnerable customers: FCA — Consumer vulnerability

3. Updating Your Details

As a returning customer, we may use your existing information to auto-fill forms for new product applications, but we’ll verify the accuracy and currency of these details.

We collaborate with Experian and other partners to populate our online forms with your available information, reducing the need for you to type. However, you still have control and can modify any answers.

If you have an account or policy with another organisation, we referred you to, please get in touch with them directly to update your information.

4. Telephone calls

We record calls to ensure accurate information, prevent fraud, and resolve disputes.

5. Profiling and Marketing

We may contact you regarding other products that align with your interests. We’ll always seek your consent and provide clear communication methods. You can easily opt out of marketing communications anytime, conveniently using the same contact method.

If you have a mortgage or insurance with us, we’ll reach out when it’s ending to help you find the best rates. Let us know if you don’t want to be contacted.

We share information with organisations like Experian and platforms like Facebook to target online audiences better. Data service providers like Experian assist us with data matching, segmentation, and profiling. Segmentation involves grouping anonymous data into specific types that match similar characteristics within a population. We ensure that these third-party organisations cannot use our customers’ personal data for their gain. You have control over direct marketing through the privacy settings provided by the advertising platforms we use. We also analyse the information we collect from clients to enhance the customer experience.

We might reach out for market research. We may hold promotions, contests, and giveaways, but your contact information won’t be used for marketing unless you give separate consent.

6. Money laundering and detecting illegal activities.

We must report suspicious activities related to money laundering or fraud to the National Crime Agency as required by law. We are also allowed to report suspected crimes to the relevant authorities.

We must share personal data when legally mandated or ordered by a court. We can share personal data to protect the public from fraud.

7. We use cookies, track emails, re-market, and analyze

We use Google Analytics to track website usage, understand trends, and enhance the user experience. However, our reports do not identify individual users.

We use cookies and you can control advertising cookies through your browser settings.

We track email activity like opening time, device type, and clicked links. This information may be shared with listed organizations for similar purposes, but they can’t use it for direct marketing without your consent or an existing relationship if you’ve opted out before.

We track phone calls to gather information on time, date, device type, and website source.

8. Social Media

We track public feedback on social media to enhance our products and customer interactions.

Training and Testing

We don’t use customer data for training or testing purposes. Dummy data sets are always used instead.

We gather data indirectly.

We must verify our customers’ identities to comply with the law, which prevents criminals from exploiting financial systems or stealing innocent people’s identities using fake names and addresses. Checking everyone’s identity is crucial in combating money laundering and other illegal activities.

To confirm your identity, we’ll check your name and address using credit agencies and electoral roll databases. You may need to provide alternative documents if we can’t verify it this way. This won’t impact your credit history or status.

We’ll record any information you provide about other people on the joint mortgage application.

Estate Agents can provide comments on potential purchases on our data collection form.

9. Ancillary

We use your information to offer the services you expect, like sending renewal reminders and assisting with complaints or investigations.

We can share information as law allows for resolving legal rights and disputes.

Automated Decision Making

We don’t make automated decisions. We provide information to lenders and insurers so they can decide on your chosen product.

How we get personal information and why we have it

Most of the personal information we process is provided to us directly by you for one of the following reasons:

  • When you submit a mortgage application or request, we collect the necessary information to assess your eligibility and suitability for our mortgage products and services.
  • When you create an account on our website, we gather your details to facilitate communication and provide personalized services.
  • If you contact our customer support, we may record the information you share to assist you with inquiries or issues you may have.
  • When you sign up for newsletters or marketing communications, we use the provided information to deliver updates and promotions as per your preferences.
  • In conducting financial assessments or property valuations, we gather relevant personal and financial details to ensure accurate evaluations.
  • For legal and regulatory compliance, we collect certain personal information as required by applicable laws and regulations.
  • When you participate in surveys or feedback mechanisms, the information you provide helps us improve our services based on your insights.
  • If you engage with us on social media platforms, the information you share allows us to interact and respond to your comments, messages, or posts.
  • In cases where you provide testimonials or reviews, the information shared contributes to building trust and credibility with our prospective clients.

Please be assured that the personal information collected for these purposes is handled carefully and complies with applicable data protection laws and regulations.

We use the information that you have given us to:

  • Process your mortgage applications and requests efficiently, ensuring accurate assessments of your eligibility for our mortgage products and services.
  • Create and manage your account on our website, allowing you to access personalized features and information.
  • Provide adequate customer support by using the provided details to address your inquiries, troubleshoot issues, and offer assistance.
  • Deliver newsletters and marketing communications that match your preferences, keeping you informed about relevant updates, promotions, and industry news.
  • Conduct thorough financial assessments and property valuations based on the personal and financial information you provide.
  • Fulfill our legal and regulatory obligations by collecting and using specific personal information as applicable laws require.
  • Enhance our services based on insights gathered from surveys and feedback you provide, aiming to meet your needs more effectively.
  • Interact with you on social media platforms, responding to your comments, messages, and posts and engaging in meaningful conversations.
  • Display your testimonials or reviews on our platform, with your consent, to showcase your positive experiences and build trust with potential clients.

We ensure your information is handled responsibly and used for these purposes while adhering to all relevant data protection laws and regulations. Your privacy and the security of your personal information are of the utmost importance to us. We may share this information with:

  • Lenders and financial institutions to process your mortgage application and secure the necessary financing.
  • Credit reference agencies to conduct credit checks and assess your creditworthiness as part of the mortgage application process.
  • Insurance providers to facilitate any insurance products related to your mortgage agreement.
  • Legal professionals and regulatory authorities as required by law or to ensure compliance with legal obligations.
  • Service providers and partners who assist us in delivering our services, such as IT support, marketing, and customer relationship management.
  • Survey and research firms to help us gather feedback and insights to improve our services.

Rest assured, when sharing your information with these entities, we take appropriate measures to ensure your privacy and data security. We hold our partners and service providers to high standards of data protection.

10. Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the lawful bases we rely on for processing this information are:

  • (a) Your consent. You can remove your consent at any time. You can do this by contacting info@mortgage-tek.co.uk
  • (b) We have a contractual obligation.
  • (c) We have a legal obligation.
  • (d) We have a vital interest.
  • (e) We need it to perform a public task.
  • (f) We have a legitimate interest.

11. How we store your personal information

Your information is securely stored.

Throughout the course of our partnership with you, we’ll hold on to personal data, which is necessary to provide the services you require. We shall also take reasonable steps to keep your personal data up to date throughout this period. Regulatory requirements subject us to retaining your data for a specified minimum period:

  • Three years for a mortgage business that does not complete
  • Six years for mortgage business from date of completion
  • Six years for protection business from on risk date

We reserve the right to retain data for longer where we believe it’s in our legitimate interests to do so. In any case, we’ll not keep your personal data for longer than 6 years after our relationship with you has ended. You have the right to request deletion of your personal data. We’ll comply with this request, subject to the restrictions of our regulatory obligations and legitimate interests, as noted above.

We keep the collected personal information for the duration required to fulfil the mentioned purposes. This retention period may vary depending on legal requirements, contractual obligations, and the nature of the information. Once the retention period has lapsed, we will dispose of your information using secure methods. This may involve permanent deletion from our electronic records and the safe destruction of any physical copies. We are committed to ensuring your data is handled responsibly and in line with applicable data protection laws.

Your data protection rights

Under data protection law, you have rights including:

  • Your right of access – You have the right to ask us for copies of your personal information.
  • Your right to rectification – You have the right to ask us to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask us to complete information you think is incomplete.
  • Your right to erasure – You have the right to ask us to erase your personal information in certain circumstances.
  • Your right to restriction of processing – You have the right to ask us to restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
  • Your right to object to processing – You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
  • Your right to data portability – You have the right to ask that we transfer the personal information you gave us to another organisation, or to you, in certain circumstances.

You are not required to pay any charge for exercising your rights. If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you.

12. How to complain

If you have any concerns about our use of your personal information, you can complain to us at info@mortgage-tek.co.uk, 020 3827 8558, 31, Metro Centre, Dwight Rd, Northwood, Watford WD18 9SB.

You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how we have used your data.

The ICO’s address:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Helpline number: 0303 123 1113

ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk

13. How to contact us

To exercise your rights or ask questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact:

Download Privacy Policy PDF Contact Us

FAQ

Common Questions

Everything you need to know about Specialist Finance

What personal information does Mortgage Tek collect?

We collect the information needed to find you the right mortgage: your personal details, property history and financial circumstances. For mortgage applications this includes your direct debit details, and for insurance customers we may collect relevant health information. We also collect data you provide when you contact us, submit an enquiry or request service information through our website.

How does Mortgage Tek use my personal data?

We use your data to assess your circumstances, source and recommend suitable mortgage and insurance products, submit applications to lenders and providers on your behalf, and keep you informed throughout the process. We only process your information under a lawful basis set out in the UK GDPR, such as your consent, our contract with you, a legal obligation, or our legitimate interests as a broker.

Does Mortgage Tek sell or share my personal data with third parties?

We never sell your personal data. We share it only where necessary to deliver our service, for example with mortgage lenders and insurance providers who have their own privacy notices and act as controllers of your data. Lenders may use your information to assess your creditworthiness, which can affect your credit score, and we will always notify you before this happens.

How long is my data stored, and is it secure?

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to provide our services and to meet our legal and regulatory obligations, after which it is securely deleted. We store your data securely and apply appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect it against unauthorised access, loss or misuse.