Privacy Policy
How we handle your information.
We’re a federally-regulated mortgage broker. That means how we collect, use, and protect your information is governed by federal law — specifically the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). This policy explains what we do, plainly.
Applying for a mortgage with us? Federal law (the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) also requires us to give you a formal privacy notice in a specific federal form. That document is here: Read the GLBA Privacy Notice →
Who this applies to
This Privacy Policy applies to Forward Mortgage (NMLS #2401169), our website
(goforwardmortgage.com), and any forms, applications, or
communications you submit through us.
Information we collect
We collect three categories of information:
Information you give us directly
- Identifying information: name, address, phone, email, date of birth, Social Security number
- Financial information: income, assets, debts, credit history, employment details
- Property information: address, value, intended use
- Application data: anything you tell us in conversations, on forms, or in supporting documents
Information we collect automatically
- Standard web log data when you visit our website (IP address, browser type, pages viewed, time on site)
- Cookies and similar technologies (see “Cookies” below)
- Information from analytics tools (Cloudflare Web Analytics or Google Analytics, where applicable)
Information we receive from third parties
- Credit reports from credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) when you authorize a credit pull
- Verification data from lenders, employers, banks, and insurance providers (with your authorization)
- Public-records data such as property and tax records
How we use your information
We use your information to:
- Process your loan application and originate your mortgage
- Communicate with you about your application or loan
- Comply with federal, state, and licensing requirements
- Detect and prevent fraud
- Improve our services and your experience on our website
- Send you newsletters or updates if you’ve opted in
We do not sell your personal information. Period. We’re an independent broker, not a lead-generation business.
Who we share your information with
We share your information only with:
- Lenders we submit your loan to, so they can underwrite and fund your mortgage
- Credit bureaus when you authorize a credit pull
- Service providers such as our title companies, appraisers, and verification vendors — only what they need to do their job
- Regulators when required by law (state and federal mortgage licensing authorities, the CFPB, the IRS, etc.)
- Other parties you authorize in writing — e.g. your real-estate agent, your attorney
We do not share your information with marketers, lead-buyers, data brokers, or anyone else outside the loan-origination process.
Cookies and analytics
Our website uses minimal cookies. These include:
- Strictly necessary — cookies required for the site to function (e.g. remembering whether you’ve dismissed the cookie consent banner). These are always active.
- Analytics — we use privacy-respecting analytics (Cloudflare Web Analytics, which does not use cookies) to understand how visitors use the site. If we ever add cookie-based analytics (such as Google Analytics), we’ll request consent first.
You can manage cookies through your browser settings. Blocking strictly-necessary cookies may break parts of the site.
Email and text communications
If you contact us, we may follow up by phone, email, or text using the contact information you provide. By submitting our contact form or starting an application, you consent to receive communications from us related to your inquiry.
You can opt out of marketing emails at any time by replying STOP, clicking unsubscribe in any email, or contacting us at [email protected]. We’ll always honor required loan-related communications regardless of marketing preferences.
How we protect your information
We use commercially reasonable safeguards — encrypted transmission (HTTPS), secure document portals when you upload sensitive items, restricted access controls on our systems, and shredding/secure-deletion of physical documents we no longer need. No system is perfectly secure, but we work hard to keep yours safe.
How long we keep your information
We’re required by law to retain loan-application records for specific periods (typically 25 to 36 months after the loan is closed or denied, depending on the regulation). After those periods, we securely dispose of records we’re no longer required to keep.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- Request a copy of the personal information we have about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Opt out of marketing communications
- Request deletion of information we’re not required by law to retain
California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what categories of personal information we collect, the right to deletion, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising these rights. To exercise any of these, contact us at the email below.
Children’s privacy
Our website is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top tells you when. Material changes will be highlighted on this page.
Contact us about privacy
Forward Mortgage322 S. Main St. Suite 230
Rochester, MI 48307
Phone: (248) 956-0445
Email: [email protected]
NMLS #2401169
This Privacy Policy is provided as a plain-English explanation of our information practices. It is not legal advice. If you have specific legal questions, consult an attorney.