Privacy Policy Statement

We consider it our great privilege to serve your financial needs … and we value the trust you have placed in us.  An important component of our relationship with you is our commitment to safeguarding your personal information.  This notice will help you understand the measures we take to protect the privacy and security of this information.

Gathering Information
As part of providing you with financial products or services, we may obtain public and non-public information about you from applications, forms and other information that you provide to us, whether in writing, in person, by telephone, electronically or by any other means which could include consumer reporting agencies.  This information may include your name, address, date of birth, social security number, employment information, income and credit references, or credit history.  The information in Paradigm Consulting, Inc.’s (Paradigm) customer files will be used only to provide our customers with the products and services we offer.

Security Standards

  • We will safeguard, according to strict standards of security and confidentiality, any information our customers share with us.
  • We continually monitor and review our processes, computer networks and procedures safeguards.
  • Each Paradigm employee must agree to our confidentiality policy when hired.  We permit only authorized employees to have access to your personal information.  We do not permit our employees to remove your personal non-public information from the firm upon termination of employment with Paradigm.  Your public information may only be removed by a terminated employee if approved by our CCO following our policies and procedures protocol.  Employees who violate our confidentiality policy will be subject to our normal disciplinary process.
  • We select very carefully the outside companies that provide services on our behalf and restrict the information we provide them to that which is necessary to fulfill their responsibilities or offer a service to you.  These companies are prevented by legal agreement from using customer information for their own purposes or selling this information to others.
  • We do not sell client lists or individual client information, nor do we make your information available for use by unaffiliated third parties.  
  • When asked by entities who produce a lawful right to know (such as a subpoena or government regulatory request from the IRS or Department of Justice), we will provide only the information about you that is required and nothing more.

Maintenance of Accurate Information
We strive to maintain complete and accurate information about you and your accounts.  If you ever believe that our records contain inaccurate or incomplete information about you, please let us know immediately.  We are committed to resolving any inaccuracies as quickly as possible.

Protecting Your Information

  • Don’t give personal information, such as account numbers or Social Security numbers over the telephone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you know with whom you are dealing.
  • Store personal information in a safe place and tear up or shred old credit card receipts, ATM receipts and unused credit card offers before throwing them away. 
  • Pay attention to billing cycles and statements.  Inquire of the bank if you do not receive a regular monthly bill or statement.  It may mean that the bill has been diverted by identity theft.
  • When conducting business over the Internet, always use a secure browser, exit the online application as soon as you finish using them, and make sure you have virus protection and a firewall and update them regularly.
  • Check all account statements carefully to ensure all charges, checks or withdrawals were authorized.
  • Monitor your credit report for accuracy.  To learn more or to request a copy of your credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com.

Fraud and Identity Theft Assistance

  • Contact the fraud department of each of the three major credit bureaus to report the identity theft and request that the credit bureaus place a fraud alert and a victim’s statement in your file.  The fraud departments of the three national credit bureaus are as follows:
    • Trans Union              1-800-680-7289
    • Equifax                     1-800-525-6285
    • Experian                   1-888-397-3742

 

  • Contact your bank or other creditor where you have an account to have holds placed on your accounts.
  • File a report with your local police department.
  • Contact the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Hotline toll-free at 1-877-ID-THEFT.    
  • Contact the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 to report fraudulent use of your identification information.
  • Contact your Paradigm Financial Professional for additional information on what to do if you feel you are a victim of ID Theft.

  
Please note that this contact information is being provided as a service to you.  Paradigm is not affiliated with any of these services and cannot guarantee their effectiveness.

Regarding Amendments and Former Customers
We reserve the right to amend our policy from time to time and will notify you of any significant changes.  If you decide to close your account(s) or become an inactive customer, we will continue to adhere to the privacy policies as set forth in this Statement, subject to future revisions.

Complaint Notification
Should you ever have a complaint regarding our services, please direct all inquiries to the attention of the Compliance Officer at Paradigm Consulting, Inc., 133 Business Park Drive, Utica, NY 13502.

Questions, Contact Us
We welcome the opportunity to answer additional questions you may have about this Statement or the safeguarding and confidentiality of your information.  Please contact your Paradigm Financial Professional at 315-797-8400 or write to us at Paradigm Consulting, Inc., 133 Business Park Drive, Utica, NY  13502.  At all times, you may view our current privacy policy on our website at www.paradigmci.com. 

This Privacy Policy Statement explains how we handle and protect information and replaces any Privacy Policy Statement previously provided.  The Privacy Policy Statement applies to current customers or former customers of Paradigm Consulting, Inc.  The policies and practices described in this Privacy Policy Statement are subject to change, but we will notify you of any significant changes.