Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Submit a "Get Help" request (name, phone number, email, address, property details, financial situation)
• Make a payment for services (name, email, payment information)
• Apply for partnership (organization name, contact information)
• Subscribe to our newsletter (email address)
• Contact us via phone, email, or online form

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited, time spent, and referring URLs
• Device type and screen resolution

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Deliver services: Provide foreclosure prevention education, surplus fund recovery, and referrals
• Communicate with you: Respond to inquiries, provide case updates, and send relevant information
• Process payments: Complete transactions and maintain billing records
• Grant reporting: Provide anonymized, aggregate data to grant funders as required by grant agreements
• Improve our services: Analyze website usage patterns to enhance user experience
• Comply with legal obligations: Meet regulatory requirements and respond to lawful requests

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We never sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• Service delivery partners: With legal aid organizations, housing counselors, or government agencies when necessary to provide you with services, and only with your consent
• Payment processors: Payment information is processed by PCI-compliant third-party payment processors; we do not store credit card numbers
• Grant funders: Anonymized and aggregated data only, never individually identifiable information
• Legal requirements: When required by law, subpoena, or court order, or to protect the safety of individuals

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information, including:

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted to and from our website
• Secure, access-controlled storage for client records
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Staff training on data privacy and confidentiality
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis

While we strive to protect your information, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Client Confidentiality

All client information and case details are treated as strictly confidential. Staff and contractors are bound by confidentiality agreements. Information is never disclosed to third parties without your explicit written consent, except as required by law.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Understand how visitors use our website (analytics)
• Improve website performance and functionality

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may limit some website functionality. We do not use cookies for advertising or behavioral targeting.

7. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed at children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected information from a child under 13 in violation of COPPA, we will promptly delete that information. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
• Withdraw consent: Withdraw consent for data processing where consent is the legal basis

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@auctionblock.org.

9. California Residents (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) provides you with additional rights:

• Right to know: You may request the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you
• Right to delete: You may request deletion of personal information we have collected
• Right to non-discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights
• No sale of information: We do not sell personal information to third parties

To submit a CCPA request, email privacy@auctionblock.org with the subject line "CCPA Request."

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites and services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our website or services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: