Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy
This privacy policy has been created to better serve those concerned about how their ‘Personally Identifiable Information’ (PII) is used online. PII, as defined in US privacy law and information security, refers to data that can be used alone or in combination with other information to identify, contact, or locate an individual, or to identify a person in context. Please take the time to read our privacy policy thoroughly to understand how we collect, use, protect, and manage your Personally Identifiable Information in relation to our website.

What personal information do we collect?
Possible Personal Information Collected:
Personal information includes:

1. Information in a consumer report; or
2. An individual’s first name or initial and last name combined with any of the following:

• Birth date;
• Social security number or other government-issued identification number;
• Mother’s maiden name;
• Unique electronic identification number or routing code;
• Telecommunication access devices including debit or credit card information;
• Financial institution account or information;
• Email address.

When do we collect information?
SMUV Rentals gathers personal information in the following ways:

1. Through consumer reports from reporting agencies that this company subscribes to, in connection with lease or loan applications, or for other reasons authorized by the consumer;
2. Via lease applications completed by prospective tenants;
3. Through other real estate-related forms completed by the customer or client in relation to a transaction and property showings;
4. In tax reporting forms required to be completed by the customer or client and submitted to this company;
5. When you fill out a form or enter information on our site.

How do we use your information?
Personal Information from Prospective Tenants: The personal information provided by prospective tenants is primarily used to obtain consumer reports (credit checks) and may also be used for background checks and rental history searches. This information may be shared with landlords for whom this company manages properties, and we also report information to credit reporting agencies.
Personal Information from Property Owners: When managing properties for owners, this company uses their personal information solely for: (a) delivering required management services; (b) filing necessary reports with governmental agencies (e.g., the IRS); (c) establishing ACH deposits; or (d) other purposes authorized by the property owner, such as providing utilities.
Personal Information from Clients: When representing a client (buyer, seller, landlord, or tenant) in a transaction, the agent may convey personal information provided by the client to necessary service providers (e.g., mortgage lenders and title companies) as required for the products or services requested. If representing a prospective tenant in a lease transaction, personal information may be shared with landlords or their agents, always with the tenant’s knowledge. This company and its agents exercise discretion when sharing personal information with others.
We may use your information in the following ways:

• To enhance our website for better service.
• To improve our response to your customer service requests.
• To manage contests, promotions, surveys, or other site features.
• To expedite transaction processing.
• To send periodic emails about your order or other products and services.

How do we protect visitor information?

• Physical files are securely stored.
• Electronic records are safeguarded by access names and passwords assigned to authorized personnel.
• This company and its agents share personal information only as described in this policy.
• Employees and agents are prohibited from making copies of consumer reports or insurance claims records.
• Agents maintain separate transaction files, and we instruct them to protect personal information in their files as outlined in this policy.
• Our website is regularly scanned for security vulnerabilities.
• We conduct regular malware scans.
• Your personal information is securely stored, accessible only by authorized individuals, and all sensitive information is encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology.
• Various security measures are implemented to protect your personal information during order placements or data submissions.
• For your convenience, we may store your credit card information for over 60 days to facilitate future orders and automate billing processes.

Do we use cookies?
Yes, cookies are small files transferred to your computer’s hard drive via your web browser (if permitted) that allow systems to recognize your browser and remember certain information. For instance, we use cookies to help remember and process items in your shopping cart and to understand your preferences based on past or current site activity, enhancing our services. We also compile aggregate data about site traffic and interactions to improve future site experiences and tools.
We use cookies to:

• Compile aggregate data regarding site traffic and interactions to enhance future site experiences.
• Utilize trusted third-party services to track this information on our behalf.
  You can set your browser to warn you each time a cookie is sent or disable all cookies. Please refer to your browser’s Help menu for guidance on modifying cookie settings.
  Disabling cookies may limit some features and affect your site experience, but you can still place orders.

Third Party Disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or transfer your personally identifiable information to outside parties without notice, except for direct affiliates. This does not include website hosting partners and other parties assisting us in operating our website, conducting business, or servicing you, provided they agree to keep this information confidential. We may release your information when necessary to comply with the law, enforce site policies, or protect our rights and safety or those of others. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be shared with other parties for marketing and advertising purposes.

Third Party Links
Occasionally, we may offer third-party products or services on our website. These sites have independent privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their content or activities. We welcome feedback regarding these linked sites.

Google
Google’s advertising requirements are summarized in Google’s Advertising Principles, which aim to provide a positive user experience.
We use Google AdSense Advertising on our website. Google, as a third-party vendor, utilizes cookies to serve ads based on user visits to our site and others on the Internet. Users can opt-out of the DART cookie by visiting Google’s ad and content network privacy policy.
We have implemented:

• Remarketing with Google AdSense
• Google Display Network Impression Reporting
• Demographics and Interests Reporting

Along with third-party vendors, such as Google, we use first-party (e.g., Google Analytics cookies) and third-party cookies (e.g., DoubleClick cookie) to compile data on user interactions with ad impressions and other ad services as they relate to our website.

Opting Out:
Users can set preferences for how Google advertises to them using the Google Ad Settings page, or opt-out through the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page or by using the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser add-on.

Access to Personal Information
The following individuals have access to personal information in this company’s files:

1. The agent or broker managing the transaction;
2. The office manager to whom the agent reports;
3. Property Manager, Assistant Property Manager, and Receptionists;
4. Application processors;
5. Employees needing access to assist agents, brokers, accountants, or office managers.

Property owners for whom the company manages properties do not have access to personal information in the company’s files. However, the company and its agents may discuss a tenant’s consumer report or lease application information with property owners, providing copies only with the tenant’s consent or if the company ceases to manage the property upon the landlord’s request.
Personal information from buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants may be discussed with others (e.g., mortgage lenders) only as necessary to negotiate or close transactions or provide requested services. At a customer’s or client’s request, we may provide personal information to service providers in a transaction if necessary.
If required by law, the company will comply with mandates allowing access to personal information in its files (e.g., court orders, subpoenas). The company will also assist law enforcement agencies in relevant investigations.

Disposal of Personal Information
Employees are not to destroy documents without management permission. The company employs reasonable measures to dispose of personal information, typically through shredding or burning documents, erasing electronic files to make them unreadable, or eradicating personal information from documents or electronic files.

Erroneous Records:
If we mistakenly report information to a consumer reporting agency, we will correct our records and request the agency to amend theirs promptly upon discovering the error. If a consumer disputes a record of a dishonored check, we will delete it once agreed upon or upon receipt of a law enforcement report indicating the check was unauthorized. Notice: We request that any person providing personal information to this company or its agents label it as “personal information.”

Users can visit our site anonymously.
Once this privacy policy is established, we will link to it on our homepage or at a minimum, on the first significant page after entering our website. Our Privacy Policy link will include the word ‘Privacy’ and will be easy to find.

Users will be informed of any changes to the privacy policy:

• On our Privacy Policy Page

Users can modify their personal information:

• By emailing us
• By calling us
• By logging into their account

How does our site handle Do Not Track signals?
We honor Do Not Track signals and do not track, plant cookies, or utilize advertising when a Do Not Track (DNT) browser mechanism is activated.

Does our site allow third-party behavioral tracking?
It’s important to note that we do not permit third-party behavioral tracking.

COPPA (Children Online Privacy Protection Act)
Regarding the collection of personal information from children under 13, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) allows parents to maintain control. The Federal Trade Commission enforces the COPPA Rule, which outlines the responsibilities of website operators to protect children’s privacy and safety online. We do not specifically market to children under 13.

Fair Information Practices
The Fair Information Practices Principles are fundamental to privacy law in the United States and have significantly influenced the development of global data protection laws. Understanding and implementing these principles is crucial for compliance with privacy laws that safeguard personal information.
In line with Fair Information Practices, we will take the following responsive actions in the event of a data breach:

• Notify users via email within seven business days
• Notify users via phone within seven business days
• Notify users via in-site notification within seven business days
• Agree to the individual redress principle, allowing individuals to pursue legally enforceable rights against non-compliant data collectors and processors.

CAN-SPAM Act
The CAN-SPAM Act establishes rules for commercial email, requiring commercial messages to meet specific criteria, giving recipients the right to stop emails from being sent, and imposing penalties for violations.
We collect your email address to:

• Send information, respond to inquiries, and handle other requests or questions.
• Process orders and send updates about orders.
• Provide additional information related to your products and services.
• Market to our mailing list or continue sending emails to clients after the initial transaction.

To comply with CAN-SPAM, we agree to the following:

• NOT use false or misleading subjects or email addresses
• Identify messages as advertisements reasonably
• Include our business’s physical address or headquarters
• Monitor third-party email marketing services for compliance, if used
• Honor opt-out/unsubscribe requests promptly
• Allow users to unsubscribe via the link at the bottom of each email

Contacting Us
If you have any questions regarding this privacy policy, please reach out to us using the information below.
https://www.SMUVRentals.com
443.500.3366