At Optimo Financial, we respect our customer’s right to privacy and value the confidence you place in us to safeguard your information. This document is a guide to the way Optimo Financial and all related entities collect, use and handle personal information. In this document, personal information means any information that is specifically identified with an individual.

With our commitment to deliver the highest standard of services to our customers, we have established strict government procedures, including employee training and ongoing audit provisions. We will review and update this policy when necessary and in compliance with all relevant industry standards and statutory requirements.

We continually strive to ensure our clients’ satisfaction and will use our best endeavours to resolve any complaints in a timely manner. Where complaints cannot be resolved to the complainant’s satisfaction within a reasonable time, the complainant may refer the matter to the Office of Privacy Commissioner. Contact details can be found at www.privacy.gov.au

Why we collect your information

We collect your information so we can provide you with a financial strategy based on your current goals, needs, objectives and requests. As dictated by the law we must "know our client" and "know our product" before we are able to provide advice on a financial product or service suitable for your personal situation. As required by law we must also identify our clients and verify the information given is accurate as stipulated by the Anti Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Legislation.

For certain financial products we are required by law to obtain your Tax File Number (TFN). The handling of TFNs is regulated under the Privacy Act and we are committed to maintaining the security of your TFN in accordance with the Tax File Number Guidelines.

We will only collect sensitive information about a customer with his/her express consent of the customer or where the collection is compelled by law. Under this clause, sensitive information is defined as information on an individual’s:

a)      Political opinions

b)      Health

c)       Criminal record

d)      Sexual Preferences or practices

e)      Racial or ethnic origin

f)       Religious or philosophical beliefs or

g)      Membership of any political, professional or trade association.

How we collect your information

We collect your information in a "Fact Find – Needs Analysis" document either verbally or in written form. Wherever practical, we take care to seek your consent to record your personal information. To ensure the quality of our records we will use our best endeavours to maintain the accuracy, currency and completeness of all personal information collected. We rely on the accuracy of the personal details provided to us and would appreciate customers’ assistance to contact us if any personal information is found to be inaccurate or incomplete.

Disclosure of your information

We only use and disclose personal information for the purpose for which it was revealed to us, or related purposes that would not reasonably require your specific permission. We do not sell, rent or trade personal information to or with any other organisations. We will only disclose personal information to parties outside Optimo Financial under the following circumstances:

a. For Legal Reasons, we may disclose your personal information to government agencies, courts or other statutory authorities and
b.Disclosures may be made to Optimo Financial’s consultants and contractors (e.g company solicitors, financial advisers, printing companies etc.) to carry out the specific functions.

In these events, we will take all reasonable steps to ensure that those third parties are in full compliance with the Privacy Act.

We may also use your information to send you direct marketing communications, but at any time, our clients may choose not to receive this.

Security of your information

We have taken all reasonable measures to protect the information in our records. Access to personal information within Optimo Financial is strictly limited to prevent misuse, loss, modification, and unauthorised disclosure.

Our customers may request to access their personal information held in our records. We will not unreasonably withhold access except in the following circumstances:

a.Providing access would pose a serious threat to any other individual

b.Where the customer makes an unreasonable request for access for the purpose of creating a nuisance

c.Providing access would be unlawful

d.Providing access would jeopardise an investigation of possible unlawful activity

e.Providing access would jeopardise the privacy of any other individual

f.Providing access would unreasonably prejudice our commercial dealings with the individual

We will use our best endeavours to provide customers with the requested information in a timely manner.  We may seek reimbursement for providing access to this information where expenses were incurred in retrieving and collating the requested information.