Privacy Policy

Chris Cerar, Mortgage Agent Level 2 (operating as a licensed mortgage agent with Indi Mortgage - The Independent Mortgage Company FSRA #12403) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal and financial information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and other applicable federal and provincial privacy laws.


1. What Personal Information We Collect

To provide you with tailored mortgage and financial services, we collect personal information that is strictly necessary for your application and our advisory role. This may include, but is not limited to:

  • Identity Details: Name, date of birth, Social Insurance Number (SIN) (optional, but recommended for accurate credit matching), government-issued ID (for FINTRAC compliance).

  • Contact Information: Address, email address, phone numbers.

  • Financial Information: Income, employment history, bank statements, assets, liabilities, tax returns, and notices of assessment.

  • Credit Information: Credit scores and credit history obtained from relevant credit reporting agencies (e.g., Equifax, TransUnion).

  • Property Details: Information regarding the property being purchased or refinanced, including appraisals and purchase agreements.

2. How We Use Your Information

The personal information collected is used exclusively for the following purposes:

  • Evaluating your financial needs and determining your eligibility for mortgage financing.

  • Obtaining credit reports to assess your creditworthiness.

  • Submitting your application to potential lenders, financial institutions, and mortgage insurers (e.g., CMHC, Sagen, Canada Guaranty) to secure funding.

  • Verifying your identity in compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and FINTRAC guidelines.

  • Communicating with you throughout the mortgage process and providing ongoing financial advice.

  • Complying with all legal, regulatory, and brokerage compliance requirements.

3. Consent

By providing your personal information to [Agent Name] and submitting a mortgage application or inquiry, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this policy.

You may withdraw your consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice. However, withdrawing your consent may limit or prevent our ability to provide you with mortgage services or secure financing on your behalf.

4. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

We do not sell, rent, or lease your personal information. Your information is only shared with third parties when necessary to fulfill your mortgage request. These parties include:

  • Lenders and Financial Institutions: Banks, credit unions, and alternative lenders to secure your mortgage.

  • Mortgage Insurers: If your down payment is less than 20%, your application will be shared with default insurers.

  • Industry Professionals: Appraisers, real estate agents, and real estate lawyers/notaries involved in your transaction, strictly on a need-to-know basis.

  • Credit Bureaus: To pull your credit report and report on credit history.

  • Regulatory Bodies: Brokerage compliance officers, provincial regulators (e.g., FSRA in Ontario), and government bodies when mandated by law.

5. Website Cookies and Digital Tracking

When you visit our website ([Website URL]), we may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience, analyze website traffic, and manage digital marketing.

  • Session Cookies: Used to keep your session active while navigating the site.

  • Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics may collect anonymized data such as IP addresses,browser types, and pages visited to help us improve our online services. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, though this may impact the functionality of certain features on our website.

6. Data Security and Protection

We employ robust physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, loss, or theft.

  • Digital files are stored on secure, encrypted servers.

  • Physical documents are kept in locked, restricted areas.

  • We ensure that any third-party software used for client portals or document uploads utilizes bank-level encryption.

7. Retention of Personal Information

We retain your personal and financial information only for as long as it is needed to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. Provincial mortgage broker regulations and the Canada Revenue Agency generally require that client files and transaction records be kept for a minimum of [Insert Brokerage/Provincial Standard, e.g., 6 years] after the transaction closes.

8. Your Rights: Access and Correction

You have the right to access the personal information we hold about you and request corrections if you identify any inaccuracies. To request access or an update to your profile, please submit a request in writing using the contact details below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in legal requirements or our business practices. Any updates will be posted on this page with the revised "Effective Date."

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact our Privacy Officer:

Chris Cerar

Mortgage Agent Level 2 - M12001984

Indi Mortgage - The Independent Mortgage Company

chris@cerar.ca

416-890-6998