PRIVACY POLICY – MEMBER BILL OF RIGHTS
Our Commitment to Privacy
At Access Energy Cooperative, we recognize that a key element of the member/cooperative relationship is the trust you place in us to respect the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information. As we continue to be committed to improving and expanding our services and delivery channels, and providing you with the highest quality of energy service, we recognize our members’ needs and desires to preserve their privacy and confidentiality. While personal information about you is fundamental to our ability to efficiently provide you with quality service, your privacy is also very important to us.
The Information We Collect
Access Energy Cooperative will receive and retain information about member-consumers/customers through:
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Information we receive from you on applications or other forms;
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Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates or others;
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Information we receive from a consumer-reporting agency;
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Advanced metering infrastructure.
The Way We Use Information
Access Energy Cooperative will limit the use and collection of non-public personal information to that which is necessary to maintain and administer financial services, and when it is beneficial for designing, operating, and maintaining the Cooperative’s electric system to offer safe, reliable and efficient service.
The information will not be shared with third parties unless:
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The information is provided to help complete a member-consumer initiated transaction (such as reporting agencies, document processing companies, etc.);
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The member-consumer has requested it;
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The disclosure is required by law, warrant, or court order; or
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The disclosure is required by banking regulation
“Third party” is defined as any person or entity other than: employees of the Cooperative; the Cooperative’s designated legal counsel; or any entity contractually bound to the Cooperative to provide billing or collection services for electric cooperative accounts.
When member-consumer information is provided to any third parties, that third party must be bound by appropriate confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations.
Limiting Employee Access to Information
Access Energy Cooperative limits employee access to member-consumer information to those with a business reason for knowing such information. All employees are educated on the importance of confidentiality and member-consumer privacy. Any employee that violates the financial privacy of our member-consumer will be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures and possible termination.
Protection of Information via Established Security Procedures
Appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure information are put in place to prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and to ensure the correct use of information.
Right to be Informed
Information regarding operational aspects of the Cooperative’s advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and related programs will be made available to member-consumers as requested.
Member-consumers will be better informed about their electricity consumption.
Member-consumers will have access to information that helps explain available billing rate structures and options, outage information, peak
demand, and the impact of energy consumption habits with the AMI.
The purpose of the collection, use, retention, and sharing of energy consumption data shall be made known to the member-consumers in a clear and transparent manner.
Member-consumers will be informed of the available choices and consent options regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of energy consumption data.
Maintaining Accurate Information
Access Energy Cooperative has established procedures so that our customers’ financial information is accurate, current and complete in accordance with reasonable commercial standards. Requests to correct inaccurate information in a timely manner will be responded to in a timely manner.
Questions?
We at Access Energy Cooperative value our customer relationships. We want you to understand how we use the information you provide us with and our commitment to ensuring your personal privacy. If you have any questions about how Access Energy Cooperative protects your information, please contact us at 319-385-1577 or toll free at 1-866-242-4232. Or click here to send us an email.