Privacy FAQ

Capital One's privacy notice is always available online by clicking here. We also provide our customers an annual update each year, normally through the mail. You may also visit your local Capital One bank branch to obtain the latest printed notice.

The Privacy Notice is a way to let our customers know how personally identifiable information about them is collected and used. To help our customers and potential customers make informed decisions, our Privacy Notice explains how we keep information about you confidential and secure, the types of information we may collect, the types of information we may share, and the categories of parties with whom we may share that information.

Personally identifiable information is information that we collect or maintain about you in connection with your account. Some examples include your name, address, phone number, and the fact that you may be a Capital One customer.

Capital One collects information from consumers at the time they seek to open an account with us. This information is collected to verify your information and to match you with the products we feel best meet your needs. Another source of information we have is our experiences with our customers or the experience when you visit our web sites. We collect information about you, such as whether you are interested in the products and services we display on our site.

First, we need information to service your account-to make your experiences with us smooth and efficient. Second, having personal information about you helps us protect you and your family from fraud, identity theft, and unauthorized access to your accounts. We use personal information to verify that it is you when you call us or that it is you who is making a transaction or opening another account. Third, knowing your needs or preferences allows us to tailor our products to your needs and to offer a greater range of specialized products and services. We use customer information to inform you of products and services we think you might be interested in, not only from us, but also our business partners.

When we collect personal information from you, we can use it protect you and your family from identity theft, fraud, and unauthorized access to personal information about you. When we share limited customer information with our trusted business partners, we give them the chance to sell their products and services to you, and you benefit in at least two important ways: (1) you have access to valuable products and services (offered by our business partners), which can meet many of your financial needs; and (2) we can offer you products with lower rates, fees, and finance charges because we can pass on to you some of the additional revenues from the sale of these products and services.

Capital One understands how important security and confidentiality is to our customers, so we use the following security techniques, which comply with or even exceed federal regulatory requirements to protect information about you.

We have taken the following steps to ensure secure Internet services:

* We protect our systems and networks with firewall systems.
* We employ Intrusion Detection software and monitor for unauthorized access.
* We maintain and selectively review activity logs to prevent unauthorized activities from occurring within our computing environment.
* We use encryption technology to protect certain sensitive information that is transmitted over the Internet.

Capital One, like many other Web sites, uses a small electronic file called a cookie that tracks your activities when you visit our site. This helps us understand which parts of our site you find most useful. Cookies allow us to recognize you when you return to our site and can enable us to identify the path from which you returned to our site. If you choose, you can set up your Web browser to inform you when cookies are sent or you may choose not to accept cookies. Your decision not to accept cookies could limit some functions and access to some of the services that are available on our Web site.

After completing your transactions on Capital One online, be sure to log out by clicking the "log out" button and closing your browser software. You will receive a confirmation message indicating that you have successfully logged out. Not logging out could endanger the security of your personal information by potentially allowing others using the same computer to access information saved or cached in the browser’s memory.

Web bugs have many different names (e.g., clear GIFs, invisible GIFs, pixel tags) but all perform the same basic function. We sometimes use these bugs for the same purposes that we use cookies. A Web bug tracker is software that can be used to scan for Web bugs. Some trackers provide audible sounds to alert the user to a site using bugs.

On this Web site, we have also included Tips to Protect Yourself in an effort to help you take precautions to protect your account information and keep it secure.

If you prefer that we not share personal information about you with companies outside our family of companies, you may direct us not to make disclosures other than those permitted by law, such as sharing with service providers to help us open your account. This is also known as opting-out. To opt out, call our automated privacy system’s toll free number: 1-888-817-2970. Please have your account number(s) available when you call.

Once we receive and process your request, our servicing system will update within two business days. However, it can take several weeks for our marketing offers to stop due to your name being selected prior to the request taking effect.

Yes, you can exercise your right to opt out at any time.

Yes. You may contact us to change your preferences. To do so, please write to us at Capital One, Attention: Privacy Reversal, PO Box 85665, Richmond, VA 23285-5665.