Privacy.
The Data Protection Act
The Data Protection Act puts obligations on users of personal information and lays down principles for its use. The Act states that information has to be processed fairly and lawfully. This means that you're entitled to know how we intend to use any information you provide, or that we may obtain from other sources eg. credit reference agencies. You can then decide whether you want us to have that information.
To provide the highest level of customer service we need accurate customer information. You can help by informing us whenever your circumstances change, either by phone, post or while you are logged in on our website.
Organisations must lodge a notification with the Information Commissioner, describing the purposes for which they process personal information. The details are publicly available from the Commissioner's Office at:
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Tel: 01625 545 745
Fax: 01625 524 510
Alternatively, see the Commissioner's website.
What are cookies?
A 'cookie' is a small piece of information which a website places into your browser and can retrieve later. It cannot be read by any website other than that which placed the cookie. We use cookies for several reasons. For example, we can store your preferences for certain kinds of information, or keep track of your progress through our site.
Halifax uses Microsoft Active Service Pages which need cookies to operate properly. It is important that your browser is set to accept cookies, otherwise you will only be able to access our marketing site.
How to set your browser to accept or disable cookies
The way in which you can set your browser to accept or disable cookies varies slightly according to exactly what browser (and operating system) you are currently using.
Below are full instructions for changing your browser settings to accept or disable cookies
Windows Internet Explorer 6 and 7 browsers
- From the menu bar select Tools (View in IE4), and then Internet Options
- On the Security tab, select Internet Zone at the top
- Click Custom Level at the bottom of the dialog box
- From the list that appears you can choose Enable or Disable Cookies
- Click OK.
Crime prevention and detection
Our systems protect clients and ourselves against fraud and other crime. Customer information can be used to prevent crime and trace those responsible. We may check your details with fraud prevention agencies.
If false or inaccurate information is provided and fraud is identified, details will be passed to fraud prevention agencies.
Law enforcement agencies may access and use this information.
We and other organisations may also access and use this information to prevent fraud and money laundering, for example, when:
- Checking details on applications for credit and credit related or other facilities
- Managing credit and credit related accounts or facilities
- Recovering debt
- Checking details on proposals and claims for all types of insurance
- Checking details of job applicants and employees.
Please contact us on 0870 1200 849* if you want to receive details of the relevant fraud prevention agencies.
We and other organisations may access and use from other countries the information recorded by fraud prevention agencies.
Telephone calls
We may record telephone conversations to offer you additional security, resolve complaints and improve our service standards. Conversations may also be monitored for staff training purposes.
Responsibility for confidentiality
All our employees are personally responsible for maintaining confidentiality. We provide training and education to all our staff to remind them about their obligations. Our policies and procedures are regularly audited and reviewed.
Sensitive information
The Data Protection Act defines information about the following as 'sensitive': racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, trade union membership, physical or mental health, sexual life, criminal proceedings and offences.
Links to other websites
The Halifax Intermediaries website contains links to sites operated by persons outside the Lloyds Banking Group. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or the product and services provided through those sites.