Privacy policy
1. About this Privacy Policy
Money Advice Scotland is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information fairly, lawfully, securely and transparently.
This Privacy Policy explains:
what personal information we collect;
how and why we use it;
the lawful bases we rely on;
who we may share information with;
how long we keep it;
how we protect it; and
the rights you have in relation to your personal information.
This policy applies to personal information collected through the Money Advice Scotland website and through our interactions with members, supporters, donors, event and training participants, partners, stakeholders and people who contact us.
It should be read alongside any additional privacy information provided when we collect personal information for a particular purpose.
2. Who we are
Money Advice Scotland is Scotland’s money charity. We work to improve financial wellbeing, support the money advice sector and influence policy and practice.
Money Advice Scotland is:
Scottish Charity Number: SC005663
Company Number: SC137717
Registered and operational address:
Money Advice Scotland
Redwood House
5 Redwood Crescent
East Kilbride
Glasgow
G74 5PA
Email: info@moneyadvicescotland.org.uk
Money Advice Scotland is the data controller for the personal information covered by this Privacy Policy.
If you have any questions about this policy or how we use your personal information, please contact us using the details above.
3. Data protection law
We process personal information in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, as amended by subsequent legislation including the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
When processing personal information, we aim to ensure that it is:
used lawfully, fairly and transparently;
collected for specified and legitimate purposes;
adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary;
accurate and kept up to date where necessary;
retained only for as long as required; and
appropriately protected.
4. Personal information we may collect
The information we collect will depend on how you interact with Money Advice Scotland.
This may include:
your name;
postal address;
email address;
telephone number;
organisation;
job title or role;
local authority or geographical area;
membership information;
supporter information;
areas of interest;
enquiries and correspondence;
event or training registration information;
feedback and evaluation information;
information relating to donations or fundraising;
partnership or organisational enquiries;
newsletter and communication preferences;
information included in complaints;
information you voluntarily provide through website forms; and
technical information about the device or browser you use to access our website.
We will only ask for information that is relevant to the purpose for which it is being collected.
5. Special category information
Some types of personal information receive additional protection under data protection law. This includes information concerning matters such as health, racial or ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs, political opinions, trade union membership, genetic or biometric data and information concerning a person’s sex life or sexual orientation.
Money Advice Scotland does not routinely require this information through its general website forms.
Where we do need to process special category personal information, we will only do so where we have an appropriate lawful basis and an additional legal condition permitting us to process that information.
6. How we collect personal information
We may collect personal information when you:
complete a form on our website;
apply to become a Money Advice Scotland member;
register as a supporter;
contact us by email, telephone or post;
register for training or an event;
subscribe to a newsletter or other update;
participate in research, consultation or evaluation;
make a donation;
fundraise for Money Advice Scotland;
enquire about a partnership or corporate support;
submit a complaint or provide feedback;
interact with us through social media; or
otherwise engage with our work.
We may also receive personal information from organisations we work with where there is a lawful basis for doing so.
7. Why we use personal information
We use personal information only where we have an appropriate lawful basis.
Depending on the activity, this may include:
What we use information for
Lawful basis may include
Responding to enquiries
Legitimate interests; steps connected with a contract where applicable
Processing and administering membership
Legitimate interests
Managing supporter registrations
Legitimate interests
Providing training, events or services
Contract; legitimate interests
Sending newsletters and promotional communications
Consent or another lawful basis permitted by applicable electronic marketing rules
Processing donations and fundraising
Legitimate interests; legal obligation where applicable
Managing Gift Aid declarations
Legal obligation
Working with partners and stakeholders
Legitimate interests
Research, consultation and evaluation
Legitimate interests; consent where appropriate
Responding to complaints
Legitimate interests; legal obligation where applicable
Meeting accounting, regulatory and governance requirements
Legal obligation
Protecting someone's health or safety in an emergency
Vital interests or another appropriate lawful basis
Where we rely on legitimate interests, we consider the purpose of the processing, whether it is necessary and the effect it may have on the rights and interests of the person concerned.
Where we rely on your consent, you can withdraw that consent at any time.
8. Membership
If you apply to become a member of Money Advice Scotland, we will use the information you provide to:
consider your application;
confirm whether you meet our membership criteria;
administer your membership;
communicate with you about membership matters;
provide information about relevant membership opportunities; and
maintain appropriate membership records.
Where you choose to join an online member forum, community or other third-party service associated with your membership, we will provide relevant information about that service where appropriate.
Agreeing to receive marketing or general updates will be treated separately from your membership where required.
9. Supporters
If you register as a supporter, we may use the information you provide to:
manage your supporter registration;
understand the areas of our work that interest you;
contact you about opportunities to engage with our work; and
send you communications where you have agreed to receive them or where otherwise permitted by law.
You can change your communication preferences at any time.
10. Newsletters and communications
Where required, we will obtain your consent before sending marketing emails or similar electronic communications.
You can unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe option included in our communications or by contacting: info@moneyadvicescotland.org.uk
Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing that took place before consent was withdrawn.
11. Donations and fundraising
If you make a donation or fundraise for Money Advice Scotland, we may use your information to:
administer your donation or fundraising activity;
maintain appropriate financial records;
communicate with you about your donation or fundraising;
fulfil our legal, regulatory and accounting obligations; and
administer Gift Aid where applicable.
Online donations to Money Advice Scotland are currently processed through KindLink. Where you enter personal or payment information directly into KindLink, that information will also be processed in accordance with KindLink's own privacy arrangements.
Money Advice Scotland does not receive or retain full payment card details where payments are processed by an external payment provider.
Where you make a valid Gift Aid declaration, relevant information will be retained and processed in accordance with HM Revenue & Customs requirements.
12. Events, training and other activities
If you register for an event, training session or other Money Advice Scotland activity, we may use your information to:
administer your registration;
provide joining information;
contact you about changes to the event or activity;
provide relevant materials;
evaluate the activity; and
maintain appropriate records.
Where an activity involves photography, filming or other uses of personal information that require additional information or consent, this will be explained separately.
13. Research, consultation and evaluation
Research and evidence are important to Money Advice Scotland's work.
Where you participate in research, consultation, surveys or evaluation activities, we will explain how your information will be used.
Where possible and appropriate, findings will be anonymised or aggregated before publication.
We will seek specific permission before using identifiable personal testimony, quotations, case studies, photographs or similar information where consent is required.
14. Who we share information with
Money Advice Scotland does not sell your personal information.
We may share personal information where necessary with organisations that provide services to us, including:
website and hosting providers;
online form providers;
IT and technology providers;
email and communications platforms;
event and training platforms;
payment and donation providers;
professional advisers;
auditors;
organisations delivering services in partnership with us; and
public authorities, regulators or law-enforcement bodies where required by law.
Where another organisation processes personal information on our behalf, we take appropriate steps to ensure that information is handled securely and in accordance with data protection law.
15. International transfers
Some organisations providing digital or technology services to Money Advice Scotland may process or store information outside the United Kingdom.
Where personal information is transferred internationally, we will ensure that an appropriate mechanism and safeguards are in place as required by UK data protection law.
16. How long we keep information
Money Advice Scotland will not keep personal information for longer than it is reasonably required.
The length of time information is retained will depend on:
why the information was collected;
how long it is required to provide the relevant service or activity;
legal or regulatory requirements;
accounting and audit requirements;
funder requirements where applicable;
safeguarding requirements where applicable; and
whether information may be required to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
We regularly review the information we hold and securely delete or anonymise personal information when it is no longer required.
17. Keeping your information secure
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information from:
unauthorised access;
accidental loss;
misuse;
alteration;
inappropriate disclosure; and
destruction.
Access to personal information is limited to staff and other authorised individuals who need access for legitimate purposes.
Where external organisations process information on our behalf, appropriate data-protection and security arrangements will be used.
18. Your data protection rights
Depending on the circumstances and the lawful basis on which your personal information is being processed, you may have the right to:
access personal information we hold about you;
correct inaccurate or incomplete information;
request deletion of your personal information;
request restriction of the way we use your information;
object to certain uses of your information;
receive certain information in a portable format;
withdraw consent where we rely on consent; and
complain about the way your personal information has been handled.
These rights are not all absolute and may not apply in every circumstance.
You have an absolute right to object to your personal information being used for direct marketing.
If you wish to exercise one of your data protection rights, please contact: info@moneyadvicescotland.org.uk
We may need to verify your identity before responding to a request.
19. Data protection complaints
If you are concerned about the way Money Advice Scotland has collected, used or otherwise handled your personal information, please contact us in the first instance.
You can make a data protection complaint by email: info@moneyadvicescotland.org.uk
or in writing to:
Money Advice Scotland
Redwood House
5 Redwood Crescent
East Kilbride
Glasgow
G74 5PA
Please tell us that your complaint concerns data protection and provide enough information for us to understand the issue.
We will:
acknowledge receipt of your complaint within the legally required timeframe;
take appropriate steps to investigate it;
keep you appropriately informed; and
communicate the outcome without undue delay.
20. Complaints to the Information Commissioner's Office
If you remain unhappy with the way Money Advice Scotland has handled your personal information or your data protection complaint, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
The ICO is the UK's independent regulator for data protection.
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Further information is available from the Information Commissioner's Office.
21. Cookies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies.
Cookies may be used for purposes such as:
ensuring the website works correctly;
remembering user preferences;
understanding how visitors use the website; and
measuring website performance.
Where consent is required for non-essential cookies, these cookies will not be used unless you have provided the relevant consent.
Further information about the cookies used on our website and how you can manage your preferences will be provided in our Cookie Policy.
22. Links to other websites
Our website may contain links to websites operated by other organisations.
Once you leave the Money Advice Scotland website, the way your personal information is collected and used will be governed by the privacy information of the organisation operating the other website.
Money Advice Scotland is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites.
We encourage you to read the privacy information on any external website you visit.
23. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We will review this Privacy Policy regularly and update it where necessary, including where:
our services or website change;
the way we process personal information changes;
our technology or suppliers change; or
legal or regulatory requirements change.
The latest version of this Privacy Policy will be published on our website.
24. Contact us
If you have a question about this Privacy Policy or how Money Advice Scotland handles personal information, please contact:
Money Advice Scotland
Redwood House
5 Redwood Crescent
East Kilbride
Glasgow
G74 5PA