Privacy and Security

Site Privacy Notices and Disclosure Statements

The protection of our members’ privacy and the safekeeping of confidential information is of the utmost concern to the Firefighters Community Credit Union (FFCCU).

It is FFCCU’s intent to comply with all applicable laws and regulations concerning the treatment of both member and non-member information, and educate our members and consumers as to their privacy rights under the law. Furthermore, FFCCU will maintain strong security controls to ensure that member and/or consumer information in our files and computers is protected.

FFCCU collects non-public personal information about you from the following sources:

Information we receive from you on membership and loan applications and other forms, including electronic forms (www.ffcommunity.com)
Information about your transactions with us or others
Information we receive from a consumer reporting agency and
Information obtained when verifying the information you provide on an application or another form, such as from your current or past employer(s).

Information shared With Affiliates & Third Parties

FFCCU will not sell non-public personal information on its members to any third party. The Credit Union will only release information under the following guidelines:

Member(s) request
When required by court order or subpoena
When permitted or required by Federal, State, County or Municipal law and regulations
When the Credit Union contracts with third-party service providers and joint marketers to promote or provide services to our members
To a processor and/or servicer in order to effect, administer, or enforce a transaction
To protect the Credit Union’s interests

Security & Confidentiality

As part of FFCCU’s commitment to protecting the confidentiality of member account information, the Credit Union will establish procedures for periodically training staff on the importance of member privacy and the Credit Union’s privacy policy. Staff will only be permitted to access member and/or consumer account information when necessary for business reasons. Finally, FFCCU will establish and maintain appropriate physical, electronic, and procedural security standards to protect against unauthorized access to members and/or consumers non-public personal information.

Reservations of Rights

FFCCU reserves the right to disclose member and/or consumer non-public personal information to non-affiliated third parties and to change this policy at any time.

Opt-Out

A member and/or consumer has the right to Opt-Out of the disclosure of non-public personal information by the Credit Union to non-affiliated third parties that are not exempted under the law. The Credit Union reserves the right to disclose member and/or consumer non-public personal information to all non-affiliated third parties that are Joint Marketers/Process Servers, Processors and Servicers, or entities permitted or required under the law to receive information from FFCCU. These third parties do not afford the member and/or consumer the opportunity to opt-out of the disclosure of non-public personal information by the Credit Union to these entities. Companies that perform services on our behalf (such as check printers), other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing agreements, companies necessary to process or service your account, or third parties to whom disclosure is permitted or required by law (such as the Credit Union’s auditors and examiners) all fall within our exemptions under the Federal law. Where the third party is not an exempted third party, the member and/or consumer has the right to opt-out of the disclosure and may exercise this right by calling:
800-621-4644
or in writing to:
4664 East 71st Street, Cuyahoga Hts. OH 44125

If an account is jointly held, either the primary or the joint holder can process an Opt-Out request. A member’s and/or consumer’s Opt-Out direction to the Credit Union remains effective until the member and/or consumer revokes it in writing.

Patriot Act Disclosure

Identity Verification Notice – USA Patriot Act

USA Patriot Act: The purpose of this law is to help protect you, your family, and our country from terrorism by preventing terrorist financing. We want you to know that section 326 of this Act requires our credit union to verify the identity of members and nonmembers added as signatories to and have access to new or existing deposit accounts and loans. We must also retain copies of documents used to verify your identity.

If you are an existing member who joined the credit union before the USA Patriot Act rules became effective we may also need to verify and retain copies of any documents used to verify your identity when you request a new deposit account, apply for a loan or are added as a signatory to a new or existing deposit or loan account.

We ask for your understanding as we work to support these efforts to maintain the security of your funds and our country. Please speak with a credit union staff member if you have any questions or concerns about our identification policies.

Online Privacy Act Disclosure

Firewall Protection

We use a protection mechanism on our website known as a firewall to protect our computer systems and your information. A firewall is a general term for a device that is used to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. When you pass through the firewall, your IP (Internet Protocol) address is stored for security and tracking purposes. This IP address does not personally identify you but allows communications on the Internet to be performed in a uniform and organized manner. The firewall uses the IP address to ensure our website is only accessed from valid sources.

Secured and Unsecured Sites

Encryption transforms data into an unreadable format. A secure site is one that uses 128-bit encryption and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to transmit information between you and Firefighters Community CU. SSL ensures information remains confidential. Encrypted, or scrambled, information effectively prevents anyone from intercepting and reading any information about you. Please note that this encryption takes place only when you use your web browser from a secured site.

An unsecured site does not utilize SSL technology or encryption. Information sent to or received from an unsecured site can potentially be intercepted by anyone. When sending an e-mail, you should not include personal information if you are sending it from an unsecured site.

Internet Web Browsers

An Internet browser allows access and the ability to navigate information and service resources on the Internet. Most computers come with a browser already installed. Always update your browser when new versions are released since the updates often include new security features. To protect your information and take full advantage of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology, we recommend that you use a secure browser with a strong encryption technology such as Netscape Communicator® or Navigator®, download these browsers directly from Netscape or Microsoft.

Firefighters Community CU Intranet

Our Firefighters Community CU Internet site is a secured site for all online services and for Live Chat with a Credit Union representative. It is an unsecured site for e-mail. When you visit our website to view any pages, read product information, or use our online calculators and tools, you do so without telling us who you are and without revealing any information. While we do not collect identifying information about visitors to our website, we do use standard software to collect information for the strict purpose of tracking activity on our website. This allows us to get a better understanding of how many people use our website and which pages and features are most popular. Our website is not targeted or marketed to children. Please see the section “Children’s Online Privacy Policy”.

Firefighters Community CU Online Banking, eStatements, and Bill Payment

Our Firefighters Community CU Online Banking site is a secured site. E-Statements and Bill Payment are accessed through Firefighters Community CU Online Banking. Access to your account information using Firefighters Community CU Online Banking is protected using multilayered authentication during the sign-in process. Authentication consists of your user name and password. To further protect you, a timeout feature is used. This feature will automatically sign you out of Firefighters Community CU Online Banking after an extended period of inactivity. We recommend that you complete your online transactions and Exit (Sign Off Secure Site) before going to other sites or turning off your personal computer. We also suggest that you do not go to other sites during your online banking session. Failure to Exit could endanger the security of your information by potentially allowing others using the same computer to access information saved or cached in the memory of the browser.

Loan Applications and Membership Applications

Our Loan Application and Membership Application features are on a secured site. To protect you when entering application information, a timeout feature is used. This feature will automatically sign you out of the application feature after an extended period of inactivity.

We recommend that you complete your application session before going to other sites. We also suggest that you do not go to other sites during your application session. Failure to complete the application session could endanger the security of your information by potentially allowing others using the same computer to access information saved or cached in the memory of the browser.

E-Mail

Our Firefighters Community CU Internet site is an unsecured site for e-mail. Our Firefighters Community CU Online Banking site is a secured site for Secured Messages (e-mail). There are instances where you may send us an e-mail for a request and elect to provide us with information such as your name, mailing address, and/or e-mail address. Sending information is always your option and this information cannot be collected unless you specifically elect to send it to us. This information is used internally only for the purpose of fulfilling the request or for contacting you directly and is not given or sold to any other organization.

We ask that you do not send confidential information such as social security or account numbers to us via an unsecured e-mail. Such communications should be sent to us via postal mail or you may call us or visit one of our financial centers. If we respond to you via e-mail, we will not include any of your personal information unless we send the e-mail through our secure site.

Online Surveys and Drawings

We may conduct online surveys and drawings. Your survey responses will improve our understanding of your needs so that we can improve the products and services that we offer. If you complete a survey, you are transmitting the information that appears to you in the survey. You never transmit information that you do not enter yourself. All information in the survey is used for internal purposes only. We may conduct a drawing in association with a survey or a promotion. If we do, we will ask for your name and contact information (such as your telephone number or e-mail address) so that we can notify you if you are a winner. Participation in surveys or drawings is always voluntary.

Aggregation Sites

Aggregation websites are Internet websites that allow you to consolidate account information from several sources on one site. To do this, an aggregation provider may request access to your information. You should ensure that the aggregator company has appropriate policies to protect the privacy and security of any information you provide or to which they are gaining access and that you trust the aggregator company. If you provide information about your Firefighters Community CU accounts to an aggregator company, we will consider that you have authorized all transactions initiated by an aggregation site using access information you provide, whether or not you were aware of a specific transaction.

Links from Firefighters Community CU Website to Other Websites

Some links used on our Website pages will take you outside our Website. Although these links were established to provide you with access to useful information, we do not control and are not responsible for any of these websites or their contents. We do not endorse or make any representations about using such third-party websites or any information, software, or other products or materials found there, or any results that may be obtained from using them. We are not liable for any failure of products or services advertised on linked websites. If you decide to access any of the third-party websites linked to the Firefighters Community CU Website, you do so entirely at your own risk. We are not responsible for the security or privacy practices of the linked websites. We urge you to review the privacy policies of each of the linked websites you visit before you provide them with any personal information. Links to these websites from the Firefighters Community CU Website may be discontinued by us at our sole discretion at any time for any reason.

Cookies

A cookie is a piece of information that is stored directly on the computer you are using. Cookies cannot be used to find out the identity of any user. We use cookies to display information more effectively to our users and to gather data about the usage of our website. We do not use cookies to collect information about you. Your browser can be set to warn you when a cookie has been sent, allowing you to decide whether to accept or reject it. If you choose to reject cookies, you limit the functionality we can provide you and you may not be able to access some of our services.

Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Information and Prevent ID Theft

Protect your account number, Social Security Number, credit card numbers, PIN, password, access numbers, and other personal information.

Never divulge this kind of information unless you initiate the contact with a person or a company you know and trust. Do not provide personal or credit card information on the telephone unless you initiated the call. If someone calls you, explains the call is on behalf of the Credit Union and asks for your account number, you should beware. Official Credit Union staff will have access to your information and will not need to ask for it. Do not write your personal information in a place where others can view it. Never keep your PIN with your debit or credit card. Doing so could allow access to your accounts if your card is lost or stolen. Use your own computer to access any online service where you are required to enter your user name and a password or use your credit card. Other computers may have programs installed on them that capture your information. Be careful if you are using your computer on an unsecured wireless network, especially if you are in a public area. Use a strong password and change it regularly.

Limit the information you carry.

Do not carry more checks, credit cards, or other banking items than you expect to need. Do not carry your Social Security Number in your wallet or have it preprinted on your checks. Choose passwords and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) that will be hard for someone else to figure out – do not use your birth date, anniversary date, or home address, for example. Do not keep this information on or near your checkbook, ATM card, or Debit/Credit card.

Protect your mail.

Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after it has been delivered. If you are going to be away, have your mail held at your local post office or ask someone you know and trust to collect your mail. Deposit sensitive outgoing mail in one of the Postal Services’ blue collection boxes, hand it to a mail carrier, or take it to a post office instead of leaving it in your home mailbox.

Keep information secure in your home.

Safely store extra checks and credit cards, documents that list your account information, and similar valuable items. Destroy pre-approved credit offers, receipts, and other information that could link your name to your account numbers. “Dumpster divers” pick through garbage looking for financial information.

Privacy of Children’s Information Disclosure

Consistent with the Federal Children’s Act of 1998, FFCCU will not collect, use or disclose online information received from children under age 13 without prior parental notification and consent, which will include an opportunity for the parent to prevent the use of information and participation in the activity. Online information will only be used to respond directly to the child’s request and will not be used for other purposes without prior parental consent. The Credit Union will not distribute to third parties, other than its affiliate, personally identifiable information without prior parental consent. The Credit Union will not post or otherwise distribute personally identifiable information without prior parental consent. The Credit Union will not entice by the prospect of a special game, prize or other activity, to divulge more information than is needed to participate in the activity. Personally identifiable information collected online from their children may be reviewed by a parent or guardian upon written request. The parent or guardian has the right to have information deleted and instruct the Credit Union to cease collecting further information from their child.

Bill Deighton

Bill has over 40 years of experience in credit unions and previously served as Chair of the Board of Directors for 30 years. Bill is a retired Captain of the Cleveland Fire Department. Along with his credit union experience, he has served for 16 years on the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund Board. He believes that credit unions are powered by providing the best customer service to members. Bill volunteers at St. Ambrose Parish and the Fire Museum renovation. Bill and his wife live in Brunswick and have two grown children.

Anthony Missig

Tony is honored to have been the current Board Director since 1999. He has been a credit union member of Cleveland Fire Fighter since 1988. Tony graduated with a BA degree in Business from Hiram College and an MBA from Baldwin Wallace College. He is currently an Assistant Chief with the Cleveland Fire Department.

Ben Laurendeau

Ben Laurendeau has been employed in the credit union industry since 1987 in a variety of positions. Ben has held the position of President/CEO with Firefighters Community Credit Union since January of 2005. Ben holds an Associate Degree in Accounting from Terra Community College, A Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Tiffin University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Baldwin Wallace University. Ben serves as a Director on the Ohio Credit Union League Services Corporation Board and serves on the Ohio Credit Union League Audit Committee.

Gary D. Arbeznik

Gary is a lifelong resident of Greater Cleveland and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2018. Many of his family members have served in the Cleveland Fire department and are long-time members of FFCCU. Gary holds a BA from Columbia College and a JD g from Cleveland State University. He has worked for both Cuyahoga County and the US Attorney’s office in Cleveland during his legal career. Now retired, Gary and his wife live in Lakewood.

Barbara McCullough

Barb is a current Board Director of FFCCU and a fully vested member. She has an MBA in Finance and has spent 25 years teaching to all walks of life. Barb is a volunteer with the Foundation for Geauga Parks, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Lorain County Spirit of America, and Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. Barb is a lifelong resident of the Cleveland area. She and her husband have one daughter.

Alyssa Garcia Evanoff

Alyssa Garcia Evanoff joined Firefighters Community Credit Union as the Chief Marketing Officer in February 2019. Alyssa has nearly two decades of experience in brand management and strategic marketing with a variety of organizations across the Greater Cleveland area. During her career, she has developed successful marketing and creative campaigns that have repositioned brand image and increased brand loyalty through emerging digital trends, content marketing and user experience strategy. Alyssa is a graduate of Miami University and sits on the board of the Cleveland chapter of the American Advertising Federation.

Jessica Bittner

Jessica Bittner joined FFCCU as a teller in 2009. In 2012 she was promoted to branch manager, and has managed multiple branches throughout the credit union. Jessica holds a Bachelors in Human Resource Management & Business Management, with a minor in accounting from Baldwin Wallace University. She was promoted to COO in 2021.

Kathleen Riggs

Kathleen Riggs joined FFCCU as Chief Retail Officer in 2013. Kathy has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years, holding a variety of positions. Kathleen received her bachelors degree in psychology from Kent State University and is a certified trainer of CUNA’s Creating Member Loyalty program.

Paul Humphrey

Paul Humphrey was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. He joined FFCCU in 2017 as the Chief Lending Officer. Paul is a graduate of Kent State University. He holds the designation of Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) from CUNA. Paul has managed lending programs in both small and large credit unions and brings that unique perspective to serve the members of FFCCU.

John Carrick

John Carrick is the Chief Financial Officer of Firefighters Community Credit Union in Cleveland, Ohio. John was hired by Greater Cleveland Firefighters Credit Union (former name of Firefighters Community Credit Union) as an Accounting Assistant in February 1993, was promoted to acting CFO in 1995, and was awarded the position of CFO in 1996. John has assisted in the acquisition of multiple mergers for Firefighters Community Credit Union and has managed two different Merging Credit Unions during the merger process. John is a former member of the Audit Committee of the Cleveland Chapter of the Ohio Credit Union League. John holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Cleveland State University.

Dennis Corrigan

Dennis has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2017. He is invested in forming bonds between the Credit Union and the community and helping members improve their economic situations. He has a strong desire to have a voice in the decision-making process of an institution that he was raised with and believes in. Dennis has been a part of the Cleveland Fire Department for 25 years and is currently a Captain. Dennis and his wife live in the Cleveland area with their three children.

Damian Borkowski

Damian has served on the Board of Directors for over 10 years. He has been the Citywide Service Manager for the City of Cleveland since 1983 and manages the demolition of houses and buildings. He holds degrees in Law and Engineering and is a member of the Ohio Bar. Damian lives with his wife in the Cleveland area. He has been a credit union member for 30 years.

Rich Bowman

Rich serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors and has been a board member since 2009. He has been a Cleveland Firefighter since 1989 and is presently a Battalion Chief serving the city’s lower west side. Rich is a founding member and Treasurer of the Firefighters Memorial Ride. Since their inception in 2004, they have donated over $250,000 to the families of fallen Fire, Police, and EMS workers. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Finance from Cleveland State University.

James E. Polk

James is the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors and has served on the Board since 1982. He has also held the position of Secretary. Jim is a retired Cleveland Firefighter after 30 years of service. He is the past treasurer of Fire Fighters Local 93 and served on the Union Executive Board for 18 years. Jim is also a former Worker’s Compensation Representative for Local 93 and the NOFF.

Bryan Gallagher

Bryan has served on the FFCCU Board of Directors since 2006 and looks forward to continuing to help the credit union move forward and provide quality services to members. Born and raised in Cleveland, Bryan and his wife live in Lakewood and have three grown children. He holds a degree in Communications from Cleveland State University and spent 40-years as a cameraman for the MLB and NBA. After 33 years, he retired as a Captain from the Cleveland Fire Department. He is a former Sergeant at Arms for Local 93 IAFF and was Secretary for the Firefighters Memorial.

Robert Schwind

Bob is a lifelong Cleveland resident and has been a member of FFCCU since 1993. He has served on the FFCCU board since 2019. Bob is a graduate of Cleveland State University and has served as a Cleveland firefighter for the past 28 years, becoming a lieutenant in 2002. He and his wife live in Cleveland and have two grown daughters.

James Andrews, Jr.

Jim has been a credit union member for over 40 years and has served on the Board of Directors since 2012. He has been a Cleveland Firefighter for 29 years, currently stationed at Engine Company 13. James has served on the Cleveland Firefighters Relief Fund board and was a former Union Steward and Committee Member for Firefighters Local 93. He and his wife have three children.