Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

1. Introduction

EthicalDebt ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our debt collection services.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site or use our services.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect information about you in a variety of ways. The information we may collect includes:

• Personal Data: Personally identifiable information such as your name, email address, phone number, business name, and mailing address that you voluntarily provide when you register for our services, request information, or communicate with us.
• Debtor Information: Information related to outstanding debts provided by creditors, including debtor names, contact information, account details, and payment history, for the purpose of debt collection activities.
• Financial Information: Bank account information, payment details, and transaction history necessary to process payments and settlements.
• Derivative Data: Information our servers automatically collect when you access the site, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, access times, and pages viewed.
• Communication Data: Records of correspondence when you contact us via phone, email, or our website contact forms.

3. How We Use Your Information

Having accurate information about you permits us to provide you with a smooth, efficient, and customized experience. We may use information collected about you to:

• Provide debt collection services to our creditor clients
• Contact debtors regarding outstanding obligations
• Process payments and maintain financial records
• Communicate with creditors about account status and recovery efforts
• Respond to inquiries and provide customer support
• Improve our website and service offerings
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
• Prevent fraudulent transactions and protect against security threats
• Generate aggregate analytics and reporting

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We may share information we have collected about you in certain situations. Your information may be disclosed as follows:

• By Law or to Protect Rights: If we believe the release of information is necessary to comply with legal process, enforce our policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety.
• Business Transfers: Information may be transferred in connection with a merger, sale, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business.
• Third-Party Service Providers: We may share information with third parties that perform services for us, including payment processing, data analysis, email delivery, hosting services, and customer service.
• Creditor Clients: We share collection activity updates and payment information with our creditor clients regarding accounts they have placed with us.
• Credit Reporting Agencies: We may report debt and payment information to credit bureaus as permitted by law.

5. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• The right to access personal information we hold about you
• The right to request correction of inaccurate information
• The right to request deletion of your information, subject to legal obligations
• The right to object to or restrict certain processing activities
• The right to data portability where technically feasible

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided at the end of this policy. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and as required by law.

6. Data Security

We use administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your personal information. These measures include encryption of data in transit and at rest, secure server environments, access controls, and regular security assessments.

While we have taken reasonable steps to secure the personal information you provide to us, please be aware that no security measures are perfect or impenetrable, and no method of data transmission can be guaranteed against interception or misuse.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Debt collection records are maintained in accordance with applicable federal and state record retention requirements, typically for a minimum of seven years.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We may use cookies, web beacons, tracking pixels, and other tracking technologies to collect and store information about your visit to our website. These technologies help us understand user behavior, improve our services, and deliver relevant content.

Most web browsers are set to accept cookies by default. You can choose to set your browser to remove or reject cookies, but this may affect the availability and functionality of our website.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the EthicalDebt website and services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing this site and our services.

2. Debt Collection Services

EthicalDebt provides professional debt collection services to creditors. Our services include:

• Collection of consumer and commercial debts
• Skip tracing and debtor location services
• Payment processing and settlement negotiation
• Account reporting and portfolio management
• Compliance monitoring and documentation

All collection activities are conducted in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Florida state law, and other applicable regulations.

3. Use of Website

You may use our website for lawful purposes only. You agree not to:

• Use the site in any way that violates applicable laws or regulations
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or networks
• Interfere with the proper functioning of the website
• Upload viruses, malware, or other malicious code
• Harvest or collect information about other users without consent
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation

4. Client Agreement and Payment Terms

Creditors engaging our services will enter into a separate client services agreement that outlines:

• Scope of collection services to be provided
• Commission rates and fee structures (typically contingency-based)
• Account placement procedures and documentation requirements
• Remittance schedules and payment processing terms
• Compliance responsibilities and representations
• Term, termination, and account recall provisions

Payment terms are detailed in individual client agreements. Standard contingency rates apply, meaning fees are only charged upon successful collection.

5. Intellectual Property

The content, features, and functionality of the EthicalDebt website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, and software, are owned by EthicalDebt and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, or exploit any of our content without our prior written permission.

6. Disclaimers

THE WEBSITE AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. ETHICALDEBT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, REGARDING:

• The accuracy, completeness, or reliability of website content
• The successful collection of any particular debt
• Uninterrupted or error-free operation of the website
• The security of data transmission over the internet

While we strive for high recovery rates, debt collection outcomes depend on numerous factors beyond our control, and we make no guarantees regarding specific results.

7. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ETHICALDEBT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES RESULTING FROM:

• Your use or inability to use our services or website
• Any unauthorized access to or use of our servers or personal information
• Any interruption or cessation of transmission to or from the website
• Any bugs, viruses, or similar harmful components transmitted through the website
• Any errors or omissions in content or for any loss or damage incurred as a result of your use of content posted or transmitted through the website

Our total liability for any claim arising out of or relating to these Terms of Service shall not exceed the amount paid by you, if any, for accessing our services during the twelve months prior to the claim.

8. Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms of Service or our services shall be resolved as follows:

• Informal Resolution: We encourage you to contact us first to seek an informal resolution.
• Governing Law: These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
• Venue: Any legal action or proceeding arising under these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Florida, and you consent to personal jurisdiction in such courts.

9. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms of Service at any time. If we make material changes, we will provide notice by updating the date at the top of these Terms and, where appropriate, providing additional notice through our website or via email.

Your continued use of our website or services after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms of Service.

10. Severability

If any provision of these Terms of Service is found to be unenforceable or invalid under any applicable law, such unenforceability or invalidity shall not render these Terms unenforceable or invalid as a whole. Such provisions shall be deleted without affecting the remaining provisions herein.