Privacy Policy

Foresters U.S. Privacy Policy

The Independent Order of Foresters (Foresters), its wholly owned subsidiaries, Foresters Equity Services Inc. and Sylvan Agency Inc., their licensed representatives, and their employees (‘Foresters’) are committed to respecting the privacy and confidentiality of members’ information. By “member” we mean current members, prospective members, former members, and any of their family members, beneficiaries and our Branch system participants resident in the United States of America. Personal information refers to any information about an identifiable individual and includes information such as name, address, age, gender, governmental identification numbers, financial information (e.g. assets, debts, income, payment records) and health information including medical records.

All members’ information is regarded as confidential and is safeguarded.

Our privacy policy governs the behaviour of our employees, and we require our suppliers and service providers to adhere to our privacy policy when dealing with Foresters business.

We Limit Employee Access To Member Information

Foresters employees will only be provided with member personal information on a need to know basis. Employees must follow strict policies and our code of conduct when dealing with member personal information. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

Suppliers & Service Providers

Suppliers and service providers such as market researchers or data processors are only given member personal information necessary to perform their services or provide their products to Foresters.

These organizations and their employees are also required to follow our privacy policy in relation to member personal information. They are contractually bound to only use member personal information in order to supply their services or products to Foresters.

Our Legal Obligations

Foresters may be required by law to disclose member personal information. Foresters may also disclose information about someone who poses a threat to Foresters interests or whose activities could bring harm to others.

Identifying Purposes

The purposes for which member personal information is collected will be identified before or at the time it is collected.

Limiting Collection of Personal Information

Member personal information will only be collected for the purposes that have been identified. Foresters collects personal information from applications or other forms a member may have completed, from third parties when it is necessary to process or administer products or services members have requested and from the record of a member’s transactions.

Uses of Member Personal Information

Member personal information collected by Foresters may be used to:

• Understand member needs and assess the suitability of financial products offered by or through Foresters
• Assess eligibility for Foresters investment or insurance products
• Administer our products including all transactions such as premium payments
• Investigate and pay claims or process transactions
• Conduct industry research
• Hold fraternal and community events and activities and to operate our –Branch system
• Prevent unauthorized access to certificates
• Identify additional products or services that may help meet individuals’ needs
• Identify and mitigate potential risks or losses to Foresters including fraud
• Meet Foresters legal and regulatory obligations

Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention of Personal Information

Foresters only discloses member personal information to: employees within Foresters corporate family with a need to know it; suppliers and service providers; our marketing partners; the Medical Information Bureau; to comply with the law and to protect Foresters interests. We retain and hold member personal information in accordance with legal requirements.

We may share personal information within the Foresters group of companies. If members do not wish us to share personal information, they may request that we not do so.

Safeguarding Information

Foresters is committed to protecting member information we collect. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect it.

Individual Access

Subject to any legal restrictions, members can ask to see their personal information, obtain copies and to verify its accuracy. We will correct any inaccuracies.

Complaints & Suggestions

Questions about Foresters privacy policy or procedures can be directed to Foresters Chief Privacy Officer at:

The Independent Order of Foresters
789 Don Mills Road
Toronto, Ontario
CANADA
M3C 1T9
Attention: privacy@foresters.com