We collect personal data when you:

• apply for our products or services online, on the phone, or through the post
• update your information online, on the phone, or through the post (for example, when you change your address)
• speak to us on the phone
• visit our website, or any digital service we offer now or in the future
• send us letters, emails or other documents

The types of personal information we collect from you are:

• identifying details such as your full name, previous names and addresses, title, date of birth, age, signature, unique personal identifier and account number
• contact details such as your home address, email address and phone number
• financial data such as your bank account number, payment details, payee details, earnings, income, expenditure, spending habits, transaction history, tax residency, tax reference number, source of funds, and purpose of withdrawal
• personal information about your family such as your marital status, next of kin, dependents and emergency contact details
• profile data such as your sex, occupation, employment status, citizenship status, residential status, status as a Politically Exposed Person, details of directorship or trustee roles, property details, occupancy status and insurance information
• identification data which includes your driving licence, passport, National Insurance number and other national identifiers
• how you interact with us which includes the products and services you hold with us, transaction, call recordings, photographs, video recordings or any other form of communication
• technical data such as internet protocol (IP) address, location data, operating system, time zone etc

Special Category and Criminal data

We also collect:

• some special categories of personal data such as information on your political beliefs or those concerning your health or if you are a vulnerable customer
• biometric data for the purpose of accessing your account or identifying fraud
• details of any unspent criminal convictions, pending convictions, bankruptcy/receivership, county court judgements, court records and pending orders. This will also include any sanctions or suspensions from any financial services regulator

Our Data Protection Officer can be contacted if you have queries about this privacy notice or wish to exercise any of the rights mentioned in it.

Ecology Building Society
7 Belton Road
Silsden
Keighley
West Yorkshire
BD20 0EE

Tel: 01535 650770
Email: [email protected]

This Privacy Notice explains who we are and how we use your personal data.
Personal data is any information that can be used to identify who you are as a unique individual.

Ecology Building Society is a controller of your personal data, this means that we make decisions on how we use personal data in the context of our business relationship with you. How we use this data is explained in this Privacy Notice.

When we use terms such as we, us and our in this notice, we mean Ecology Building Society.

We are registered with the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) under registration number Z5798250.

If you’re worried about money or are experiencing financial difficulty, get in touch. Here are some of the ways we could help, depending on your situation:

• Arrange a temporary payment plan with you.
• Change the way you make your payments, or the date you make them.
• Let you pay back your mortgage over a longer period (reducing your monthly payments).
• Change the repayment method of your mortgage.
• Defer your monthly mortgage payment (take a payment holiday).
• A combination of any of the above.

We’ve signed the Government Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a set of universal standards to help and reassure mortgage holders worried by high interest rates.

Getting more help

You can get free, independent and impartial debt advice from the following organisations:

MoneyHelper

StepChange Debt Charity

National Debtline

Citizens Advice

They’ll go through your situation, discuss your budget and what you owe, and make a plan with you. You’ll find lots of information on their websites. They can also make sure you’re getting any benefits you might be entitled to.

These organisations are all regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, so you know you’re in safe hands.

They do not work for us or any other lender. They’ll advise you based on what’s best for you and your situation.

The Building Societies Association also has help information on its website about ‘What to do if you can’t pay your mortgage’. This has further advice and resources which you may find helpful.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud or a scam, or if you are worried about suspicious activity, let us know as soon as possible.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01535 650770

We’re open Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) between 9am to 5pm only. We only process payments within these times so there’s no risk of money leaving your account outside of these times.

Learn more about fraud and scams.

Please see our dedicated page on bereavement.

We understand that dementia can bring unique challenges for individuals and their families. We’re here to support you and to help make managing your finances as simple as possible. Below are some frequently asked questions and ways we can help.

What should I do if I or a loved one needs help managing finances?

If you or someone you care for is living with dementia, we can help you make managing finances simpler. You can ask us to:

• Set up joint accounts or Power of Attorney access for trusted family members or friends.
• Help you understand how Powers of Attorney work and how they can be applied to accounts.

We will explain everything clearly and ensure your preferences are respected.

Can I appoint someone to help manage my account?

Yes. If you’re ready to appoint someone to manage your account, we can help you register a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or other legal authority. Our team will guide you through the steps and let you know about any forms or documents we need.

I’m worried about making decisions or understanding financial information. Can I get extra help?

Absolutely. We can make adjustments to suit your needs, such as:

• Give you more time to process information during calls.
• Provide written summaries of important points.
• Explain things in simpler terms or use larger print.

Just let us know what would help you feel comfortable.

Where else can I get support for dementia?

These organisations offer practical and emotional advice and support that you may find useful.

Alzheimer’s Society

The Alzheimer’s Society provides support and resources for people living with dementia and their carers.

Phone: 0333 150 3456

Visit: alzheimers.org.uk

Dementia UK

Dementia UK offers specialist dementia support, including Admiral Nurses.

Phone: 0800 888 6678

Visit: dementiauk.org

Age UK

Age UK offers advice on dementia and related issues, including financial planning.

Phone: 0800 055 6112

Visit: ageuk.org.uk

As we’re a building society, we bank with the Co-op. If you hold an account with the Co-operative Bank and are using their online facility to transfer funds into your Ecology account, you will need to use the Co-operative’s ‘bill payment‘ function. This will allow you to quote a reference when making your transfer. Without a reference, we may be unable to pay the money into your Ecology account.