Peter Alan Ltd is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that any personal information provided by you is secure. This policy does not extend to external websites accessed from this site. Please read the terms and conditions of any other sites separately.
It is equally important that you take steps to protect yourself against all forms of financial crime. Please take some time to read the rest of this section for some helpful advice on what you can do to protect yourself.
If you have any queries with regard to our privacy policy, please contact our Head Office who will be happy to help.
Keeping your personal information secure
- Ensure that the equipment you are using to access our online services cannot be overlooked by another person (much as you would do whilst entering your PIN into an ATM).
- When you have completed your transaction or wish to take a break, log-off the service and close down your Internet browser.
- It is best not to use a public computer to access your online accounts because you cannot be certain that the public computer is secure for example - it may be infected with a virus that will try to collect your password or other personal information.
- Using an email account that is not shared with other family members will help keep your communications confidential.
How to protect yourself
- Personal firewall software can detect and block abnormal network activity directed at your computer. This activity is usually automated, and as soon as an insecure computer is found it will become a target. "Always-on" Internet connections (Broadband) are most at risk from malicious scanning.
- Anti-virus software can help to detect viruses. There are 2 main varieties - one type is dependent on the updating of its database of known viruses and the other type (know as "heuristic") is not. If you do not keep anti-virus software up-to-date then it will soon become useless; update it every time you go on-line.
- E-mail content filters can help reduce malicious software, in the form of infected file attachments. Do not open or reply to any e-mail unless you are certain of its source, and you trust it. The Delete key is the best way to deal with suspicious e-mail, once deleted empty your waste bin to help totally remove it from your computer system.
- Internet website filters can help to block access to offensive web sites and prevent spyware from being installed. Viruses can be downloaded from web sites often accidentally and unknowingly, these have been known to change a dial-up modem's telephone number so that your Internet connection becomes premium-rate.
Using passwords
Never use the same passwords for your online accounts that you use elsewhere. Do not disclose your password to anyone else or write it down.
Trojans
A trojan is a malicious file, usually disguised as something useful, but when activated, can cause loss, damage or even theft of data.
The critical difference between a Trojan and a virus is that a Trojan cannot replicate itself. The only way that it can spread is if you help it, typically by opening an email attachment or downloading from the internet.
Once you open this file, the Trojan goes to work destroying your computer's functionality - possibly recording your logging-in details. A good line of defence is not to accept files from someone you don't know, and if you have any doubts, then do not open the file.
Identity Theft
Identity theft occurs when someone's personal information is used by someone else without their permission or knowledge.
A person's identity is a valuable commodity and criminals have become ever more ingenious in their quest to get hold of a convincing false identity. A criminal does not need to obtain a person's whole identity to commit fraud; they may only need the key elements such as name, address and date of birth. This may then be used to support criminal activity, involving fraud, deception, or obtaining benefits and services in the person's name.
How we collect information from you
We may collect and hold some information about you whether you are an existing customer or a first time visitor to this website. We collect personal information through online forms, enquiries and if you register on the website. You can view information about properties, products or services without submitting any personal information.
Why we collect information from you
The information we collect from you may be used for the purposes of:
- providing information and services requested by you
- enabling us to make a response to your enquiries
- personalising our service
- crime prevention and prosecution of offenders
- carrying out statistical and business analysis and market research
- developing new products and services
- improving levels of service
- providing you with information about our products and services, the products and services of other companies within the Connells group and the products and services offered jointly with or on behalf of our carefully selected financial services partners. We may also share information with those organisations where you have agreed that we may do so.
Where we intend to use your information for marketing purposes, you will be notified on our site at the time you are providing us with your information and be asked for consent to use your information for marketing purposes. You have the right at any time after you have given any consent to change your mind.
How the information we collect from you is stored
Information collected about you will be stored on a secure database. We will hold information about you for as long as is necessary and in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Using our site and security of your information
When you use our site to submit any sensitive information, such as the user registration and login, we ensure that the information you send us is encrypted in transit by using a secure server (SSL) which can be verified from the "padlock" icon in your browser.
Other websites
We have links to other websites which are not covered by our privacy policy. Other websites privacy policies may differ from ours and, if you access other sites, information may be collected about you in accordance with the privacy policy of the other sites.
Website terms of use
The services and products that appear on this site are available to UK residents only and, should any legal dispute arise, the site is governed by English Law. The language in which we shall conduct and communicate with you shall be English.
No information given on this site is to be considered financial advice. If you require advice on any product or service offered by us, then you are asked to contact us directly, as instructed on the site.
We are not responsible for the security or content of third party websites to which we have links on this site and we do not endorse or recommend any products or services advertised by them, other than pa Legals. We operate a complaints procedure. Details are available from any branch office or contact our Head Office if cause for complaint arises. Any complaints we cannot resolve may be referred to the The Property Ombudsman [TPO] or the Financial Ombudsman Service as appropriate.
Peter Alan Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Connells Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for advising on mortgages and non-investment insurance contracts (most Buy to Let mortgages are not regulated).
Connells Limited financial services registration number 302221
We are a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme [FSCS], established under the Financial Services and Markets Act, 2000. You may be entitled to compensation from the scheme if we cannot meet our obligations. This depends on the type of business and the circumstances of the claim. Home Finance (e.g. mortgage advice and arranging): £50,000 per person per firm (for claims against firms declared in default from 1 January 2010). 100% of the first £50,000. General insurance advice and arranging: unlimited (for business conducted on or after 14 January 2005). Compulsory insurance is protected in full. Further information on compensation scheme arrangements is available from the FSCS.
We may monitor and record telephone calls in order to be able to improve our services and to protect both you and us.
You must be aged 18 or over to apply for a mortgage through us. We also recommend that you consider your life cover and income protection arrangements when considering taking out a mortgage. Any application you make through us will be subject to an assessment of your financial standing and ability to afford a mortgage.
Peter Alan Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 2073153, Registered Office is Cumbria House, 16-20 Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 1GN. VAT Registration Number is 500 2481 05.
For the activities of advising on regulated mortgages and non-investment insurance contracts, Peter Alan Limited is an appointed representative of Connells Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Connells Limited’s Financial Services Register number is 302221.