Why Columbia collects personal information
- We collect this information to establish and maintain a responsible business relationship with you and to help us provide you ongoing service. When you apply for delivery or service, we collect information that allows us to confirm who you are and your credit history so that we can accurately bill and collect for the products and services that you receive from us. We require and collect your credit card or bank account information, when you prefer the convenience of pre-authorized payment. You have the option to refuse us to do a credit check, which may result in Columbia not being able to extend credit services to you.
- To develop, enhance, market or provide our various products and services to our customer base. We look at how our customers use our products and services, so that we can understand how to improve our service and delivery format or expand our product offerings.
- To manage and develop our business operations. We analyze customer usage of our products and facilities to help us manage these efficiently and plan for future growth.
How do we protect personal information?
- We will not collect, use or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than those identified above except with consent.
- We do not share, sell or provide any customer information with any outside organization for use in their business or marketing programs.
- Only authorized personnel (employees or sub-contractors working for Columbia) have access to your information.
When do we disclose personal information?
- We will disclose customer information to a 3rd party collection agent in order to collect the customers’ account – any such disclosure of a customers personal information outside of Columbia is made on a confidential basis with the information to be used only for the purposes for which it was disclosed.
- When required or permitted by law we must give information in response to a valid demand, search warrant or other legally valid inquiry or court order.
- We may disclose the customers’ current personal information to credit recording companies (Equifax, Trans Union, Dun & Bradstreet) when a customer applies for a credit approved account.
Why would we ask others?
Only with your consent, or as authorized by law may we obtain information about you from 3rd parties, including through a credit check. Obtaining additional information about you from outside parties helps us assess your eligibility for our products and services. In order for Columbia to extend credit, we need to know your credit history and for this reason, we may contact other creditors or credit agencies to provide us information on your credit history. We may also contact employers or other personal references to verify information that you have given us. We will not do this without your consent.
Serving you better
With your consent, we may share your information within the CFI group of companies including Cowichan Valley Water, d.b.a. Columbia Ice. This will help us serve you better and determine whether any products or services are suitable for you so that we can offer them to you. Agreeing to let us share your information within the CFI group of companies helps us do this.
Our existing “express consent” which may have been given verbally, written or implied in order to send you information about our products and services by means of direct marketing.
- You may have verbally requested to be on our mailing lists in order to receive our marketing offers and calendars etc.
- When you signed a credit application, after October 2002, you gave your written consent for us to obtain a credit report and provide marketing materials.
- You implied consent prior to January 1, 2004 when Columbia reasonably concluded by such action as being a customer you wanted to receive direct marketing material.
“Opt-out” clause
If you no longer wish to receive special information or sales promotion from the CFI group of companies including Columbia Ice in most cases you are free to refuse or withdraw your consent at any time provided there are no legal requirements to prevent this. You may do so by contacting the office at 1-800-267-3533 or by following this link on our website. Our staff will be pleased to explain your options and the results of withdrawing your consent, and record your choice. By withdrawing your consent you choose not to receive direct mail campaigns, calendars or telephone marketing from the CFI group of companies. You will however continue to receive product brochures and messages included in or on your account statements.
You can change your consent at any time and can request your personal information be removed from our marketing list so you will not receive future communications or you may modify your personal information that we have previously gathered.
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