Privacy Policy

SecureSearch Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 1, 2024

The following explains what personal data is collected by SecureSearch, Inc. (“SecureSearch”) and how it is used. This includes information provided on a SecureSearch Website (“Website”), and information collected from third-parties and other sources associated with SecureSearch’s services such as employment, tenant, or occupational health screening.

The use of SecureSearch Websites indicates your agreement to SecureSearch’s privacy policy. SecureSearch may revise this online privacy policy from time to time. If SecureSearch makes any material changes, SecureSearch will notify you by posting a prominent announcement on this Website. If SecureSearch is going to use your personally identifiable information (“PII”) in a manner different from that stated at the time of collection, SecureSearch will notify you via email if an email address has been provided and is available. You will have a choice as to whether or not to allow SecureSearch to use your information in such a different manner.

Privacy Vision 
SecureSearch is committed to the responsible use of information and protecting individual privacy rights. SecureSearch strives to provide services to mitigate risk, facilitate more informed decisions, and make the world safer, in ways that protect consumer privacy. SecureSearch aspires to protect consumer privacy through the design of its processes, by credentialing, monitoring, and/or auditing its clients as appropriate, and through other information security safeguards. SecureSearch also strives to promote transparency through appropriate opportunities for consumer choice, access, and correction with respect to personal information about the consumer.

SecureSearch Website 
Please carefully read SecureSearch’s privacy policy to understand how SecureSearch will treat the information you provide while visiting our Websites. As previously stated, this policy may change from time to time. Please check the policy each time you use a SecureSearch Website for the most current information. This policy only applies to SecureSearch and its affiliated entities. SecureSearch’s Websites are not intended for children and SecureSearch does not knowingly collect any information about children. Nevertheless, SecureSearch is committed to complying with applicable laws and requirements, such as the United States’ Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”).

SecureSearch also applies this privacy policy in the offline context in those limited cases where SecureSearch requires a consumer to provide his/her PII in order for the consumer to order an information product by mail or telephone.

SecureSearch’s Websites may contain links to unrelated third-party websites. SecureSearch assumes no responsibility for the content or the privacy policies and practices on those websites. SecureSearch encourages all users to read the privacy statements of those sites; their privacy practices may differ from those of SecureSearch.

SecureSearch is a leading provider of web technology services and risk mitigation and business solutions. SecureSearch offers clients a comprehensive portfolio of products, services and tools to help them make informed decisions in a timely manner. SecureSearch recognizes that it has an obligation to protect the privacy and confidentiality of PII that it may obtain about individuals through SecureSearch’s Websites. Safeguarding the privacy of information SecureSearch may receive on its Websites is a top priority for SecureSearch, its clients and consumers.

How SecureSearch Collects and Use Information on its Websites
SecureSearch follows the below privacy principles when you visit its Websites. In general, you can visit a SecureSearch Website on the World Wide Web without telling SecureSearch who you are or revealing any information about yourself. SecureSearch Web servers automatically collect the domain names, not the e-mail addresses, of visitors. This information is used to measure the number of visits, average time spent on the site, pages viewed and similar information. SecureSearch uses this information to measure the use of its Website and to develop ideas to improve the content of its Website.

PII
This Website only collects PII from you if you choose to provide this information to SecureSearch. PII collected with your consent may include name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, date of birth, credit card number, social security number, driver’s license number, user name and password, any response you provide to survey questions, information relating to any orders you place, or any inquires you may make through our web site. Also, SecureSearch may request this type of information if you place an order by mail or telephone.

Cookies 
“Cookies” are small pieces of information that are stored by your browser on your computer’s hard drive. This site uses first and third-party cookies, however personally identifiable information is not collected through the use of cookies. Cookies allow SecureSearch to store your User ID during your visit to keep track of reports you have ordered or any updates to those reports. Cookies also help SecureSearch detects potential fraud or misuse of its system.

While most browsers are set to accept cookies by default, you can set yours to refuse cookies or to alert you before accepting them. Your browser manufacturer has information on changing the default setting for your specific browser. However, be aware that if you do not accept cookies from our Websites, you will not be able to use some of the features of the Websites, such as those for ordering reports.

Non-personally-identifiable information
SecureSearch Websites also collect non-personally-identifiable information. For example, as you browse this Website, SecureSearch may collect information about your visit, but not about you personally. Via web server logs, for example, SecureSearch may monitor statistics such as: the number of people that visit its Website, which page(s) are visited on its Website, from which domain visitors come (e.g., google.com, msn.com, etc.), and which browsers people use to visit this Website (e.g., Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, etc.). This Website may use an outsourcing program to assist SecureSearch in analyzing this data to better tailor SecureSearch Website.

Information Use and Consumer Choice
The information collected by our Websites is used only for responding to your inquiries and otherwise corresponding with you, for processing transactions you request, maintaining your account (if you have one), and for the administration, review and/or improving the content of SecureSearch Websites. SecureSearch does not share, sell, rent or trade PII with third-parties for their promotional/marketing purposes.

SecureSearch may contact you in response to your comments or inquiries, as part of the maintenance of your account with us (if you have one), or in order to complete a transaction that you requested.

SecureSearch may also contact you to inform you of other products or services SecureSearch believes may be of interest to you, but SecureSearch always offer you an opportunity to opt not to receive such communications.

If you decide that you do not want to receive further e-mails regarding your inquiry from SecureSearch, you can e-mail SecureSearch at Support@SecureSearchPro.com  with a request  that SecureSearch does not continue to e-mail you. SecureSearch does not use outside data sources to enrich marketing data obtained online.

SecureSearch website users have the option to request that SecureSearch not use information previously provided, correct information previously provided, or remove information previously provided to SecureSearch. Individuals who would like to correct or suppress information provided to SecureSearch should contact the SecureSearch at Support@SecureSearchPro.com .  The inquiries should include the individual’s name, address, and other relevant contact information (phone number, email address), as well as the nature of the request. Except as required by law, SecureSearch is free to deny such requests. If SecureSearch decides to grant such a request, it will use all reasonable efforts to honor such requests as soon as practicable.

Onward Transfer
SecureSearch may disclose information you provide to SecureSearch to third-parties in order to complete a transaction that you requested. For example, it may be necessary to disclose information you provide about yourself or third-parties in order to obtain the information product you requested. SecureSearch may engage third-parties in processing services requested by customers, such as screening for employment, tenant, and occupational health. SecureSearch enters into service agreements with these third-parties and requires that the companies acting on SecureSearch’s behalf abide by SecureSearch privacy policy and institute safeguards to protect the confidentiality of your information.

Finally, please note that SecureSearch may disclose personal information when required by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary in order to conform with the law or to comply with a legal process.

Access and Correction
As an information service company, SecureSearch understands the importance of comprehensive data. SecureSearch will provide you (whether you are a consumer or a client) with access to PII you provide through our Websites for as long as SecureSearch maintains that information in a readily accessible format. Similarly, SecureSearch permits and encourages you to correct inaccuracies in the information submitted to SecureSearch through this Website.

If you wish to access information held on you by SecureSearch or request the correction of information you feel is incomprehensive, please use the mechanisms provided by the Website, or send an e-mail to Support@SecureSearchPro.com . The access and correction provisions of this  online privacy policy only apply to PII collected from you through SecureSearch Websites. Individuals that are interested in information about how to access and/or request the correction of personal information SecureSearch maintains about them for potential inclusion in information products and services can contact Support@SecureSearchPro.com .

Security 
SecureSearch takes steps to protect against the loss, misuse, or unauthorized alteration of PII collected through this Website and otherwise subject to this policy. SecureSearch recognizes the importance of security for all PII collected on its Website. Once SecureSearch receives PII, SecureSearch takes steps to protect its security on its systems. In the event SecureSearch requests or transmits sensitive information, such as credit card information or Social Security Numbers through this Website, SecureSearch uses industry standard, secure socket layer (SSL) encryption.

SecureSearch limits access to PII to those employees or service providers who need access in order to carry out their job responsibilities.

When SecureSearch disposes of PII collected through our Websites, SecureSearch uses procedures to dispose of personal information by means such as shredding documents and erasure of electronic media that information cannot be practicably read or reconstructed.

How SecureSearch Uses and Collects Information in its Businesses 
A number of services offered by SecureSearch are Consumer Reports (“Consumer Reports”), as the term is defined under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), and when providing Consumer Reports to its Clients, SecureSearch acts as a Consumer Reporting Agency (“CRA”) as the term is defined under the FCRA, operating in accordance with the requirements of the FCRA. The FCRA establishes the following principles for all CRAs:

Privacy: Information about you may only be furnished to third-parties that have a permissible purpose to request such information. In general, these deal with credit, employment, insurance, rental or banking transactions initiated by you, or where the object is to make a firm offer to you. CRAs must credential their clients to make certain that they have a permissible purpose to receive the requested information.

Access: Consumers may receive a copy of information the CRA maintains about them. Such reports can be obtained nationally free of charge once per 12 months, twice in some states, or for

a reasonable fee for additional disclosures. Please contact SecureSearch at Support@SecureSearchPro.com  or call toll free +1-866-891-1954 if you need more information.

Accuracy: CRAs must follow reasonable procedures to assure accuracy of the information they maintain and/or furnish. When you obtain a copy of your information, you have a right to dispute and have the information reinvestigated and corrected in the CRAs database.

Fairness: Information is obtained from various sources including public records sources. However, certain information over a specified time period may not be reported.

Accountability: The Federal Trade Commission is in charge with overseeing the operations of CRAs that provide consumer reports for employment and residential screening purposes and enforcing the FCRA requirements.

When SecureSearch provides Consumer Reports on U.S. residents, it is subject to the FCRA and operates within FCRA framework. If you would like to obtain a report about the information SecureSearch maintains about you, please call toll free +1-866-891-1954 or email Support@SecureSearchPro.com .

For credit reports from the credit bureaus, please visit: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp .

Privacy Notice: Preparation and Processing of Investigative Consumer Reports
This notice is provided to California residents. Under California law, an “investigative consumer report” is a consumer report containing information on a consumer’s character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living. SecureSearch may provide investigative consumer reports about individuals and in such case, it provides them to business for employment screening, resident screening, and similar purposes.

Personal Information Disclosure: United States or Overseas 
In connection with its preparation and processing of consumer reports and investigative consumer reports, SecureSearch may transfer personal information about you to SecureSearch authorized service providers and affiliates outside the United States and its territories. In such case, the transfer will be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

To obtain additional information about the privacy practices and policies of SecureSearch in connection with its preparation and processing of consumer reports, please contact: Support@SecureSearchPro.com . For additional information about privacy or consumer  reporting, visit the following websites:

California Office of Privacy Protection: www.privacy.ca.gov
Consumer Data Industry Association: www.cdiaonline.org
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: www.consumerfinance.gov
Equifax: www.equifax.com
Experian: www.experian.com/consumer/credit_education.html

Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov   TransUnion: www.transunion.com

INTERNATIONAL COLLECTION & CROSS-BORDER TRANSFER OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

SecureSearch may transfer your personally identifiable information to other countries outside of your home country, including to the United States (“U.S.”), by whatever means is determined to be appropriate in order to perform a background check that you authorized. Your information may also be processed and stored in other countries where SecureSearch’s service providers are located. Your information may be subject to U.S. or other laws for disclosure and may be accessible to foreign law enforcement, national security agencies, or courts. Note that the laws regarding personal information in some of the jurisdictions involved may be different or less stringent than the laws of the country in which you reside. Please be aware that SecureSearch may be required to disclose an individual’s personal information in response to a lawful request by public authorities, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements.

SecureSearch utilizes a variety of methods to transfer personal information across country borders. This can include consent, contractual methods, and/or regulatory authority certifications. SecureSearch maintains appropriate contracts in place with service providers who may view your personal information. In the case of EU and Swiss Personal Data, SecureSearch abides by the EU-U.S. and the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Frameworks  (“Privacy Shield”) developed by the  U.S. Department of Commerce.

SECURESEARCH’S EU & SWITZERLAND PRIVACY STATEMENTS

SecureSearch’s compliance with these Frameworks applies to personal information pertaining to an identified or identifiable individual that is received by SecureSearch from the European Union or Switzerland, or other personal information that SecureSearch acquires pursuant to its performance of services for its clients, agents, or other third-parties to which SecureSearch has contractually agreed to apply this privacy policy. This Policy does not apply to data collected and used by SecureSearch which is not EU or Swiss related.

EU-U.S. & SWISS-U.S. PRIVACY SHIELD POLICY 

SecureSearch complies with the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework and the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework as set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the collection, use, and retention of personal information transferred from the European Union and Switzerland to the United States, respectively. SecureSearch has certified to the Department of Commerce that it adheres to the Privacy Shield Principles. If there is any conflict between the terms in this privacy policy and the Privacy Shield Principles, the Privacy Shield Principles shall govern. To learn more about the Privacy Shield program, and to view our certification, please visit https://www.privacyshield.gov/ .

The EU-U.S. and Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Policy applies to personal information SecureSearch receives from the European Union and/or Switzerland.

SecureSearch processes EU and Swiss Personal Data at the request of clients and other third-parties, and with the written consent of the data subject, for investigative, verification, employment and residential screening related purposes. This includes but is not limited to, identifying information about the data subject, employment and educational history, credit and insolvency reports, driving records, court records, criminal history checks, and other checks contracted by SecureSearch’s client or by the data subject themselves. SecureSearch uses this information to fulfill background screening requests by customers, which may be employers, other background screening companies, housing providers, and the data subject. SecureSearch’s client is required to have obtained written consent from the data subject for this collection. SecureSearch maintains written agreements for services with its clients.

1. Notice
The scope of this Notice covers consumer report data that SecureSearch has obtained on behalf of employers and other businesses by manually or electronically contacting the appropriate sources of the data (court records, references, licensing bureaus, etc.). SecureSearch also performs services related to corporate litigation and investigative services as requested by SecureSearch clients.

Information about how SecureSearch collects and uses EU and Swiss Personal Data also follows below.

SecureSearch gathers consumer and other data which it provides to employers or their agents (such as recruiters or staffing firms) for use in making employment-related decisions, such as who to hire, retain, promote, or re-assign. SecureSearch also gathers consumer and other data which it provides to entities including landlords. Note that SecureSearch does not engage in any of the decision-making activities for any data subjects. Below is an illustrative list of common ways in which employers use the data provided by this service:

• Performance of applicant and employee background checks
• Verification of the credentials of job applicants and current employees
•  Investigation into a suspicion of work-related misconduct or wrongdoing
• Investigation into matters of employee compliance with employer policies, or
•  Investigation into matters of employee compliance with Federal, State, or local laws and regulations

SecureSearch customers who are processing EU and Swiss Personal Data are contractually required to provide a legally compliant Notice to their data subjects, prior to submitting screening requests to SecureSearch.

More information regarding the nature and scope of SecureSearch’s data processing is available by contacting SecureSearch in writing or by e-mail at the addresses listed on the Contact Us page or by writing to the contact listed below.

2. Choice
The information obtained by SecureSearch is only used for the original purpose to which the data subject has consented, unless a new consent is obtained. A data subject may request

SecureSearch stop the processing of data they had previously consented to by contacting SecureSearch directly. In such case, SecureSearch will make every attempt to stop the processing as quickly as possible.

3. Accountability for Onward Transfer 
SecureSearch may engage agents to perform functions on our behalf, in order to provide services requested by customers or data subjects. SecureSearch enters into service agreements with these agents and requires that the companies acting on SecureSearch’s behalf abide by the SecureSearch privacy policy and institute safeguards to protect the confidentiality of your information. In cases of onward transfer to agents of data of EU or Swiss individuals received pursuant to the EU-U.S. and Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield, SecureSearch is potentially liable.

SecureSearch may disclose EU or Swiss Personal Data to clients, or their agents who enter into a written agreement with SecureSearch, in which the client agrees to comply with the FCRA, if applicable. These SecureSearch customers are contractually required to provide a legally compliant Notice to their data subjects prior to submitting screening requests to SecureSearch.

4. Security
SecureSearch takes reasonable procedures to protect EU and Swiss Personal Data from loss, misuse and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration and destruction.

5. Data Integrity and Purpose Limitation 
The information obtained by SecureSearch is only used for the original purpose to which the data subject has consented or the legal grounds for processing allow this access, unless a new consent is obtained or another legal ground for processing has been met. SecureSearch processes EU and Swiss Personal Data in ways that are compatible with the purposes for which it has been collected (as identified in the Notice section above) or subsequently authorized by the individual. To the extent necessary for those purposes, SecureSearch takes reasonable steps to ensure that EU and Swiss Personal Data collected are comprehensive, complete, current, and reliable for their intended use.

6. Access 
A data subject, whose information is or was processed by SecureSearch under the Privacy Shield, has the right to access all personal data collected and maintained about him or her by contacting us directly at Support@SecureSearchPro.com. SecureSearch affords the data subject a  reasonable opportunity to correct, amend, or delete information that is incomprehensive or incomplete, except where the burden or expense of providing access would be disproportionate to the risks to the individual’s privacy, or where the rights of persons other than the individual would be violated. In cases where the information is subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), SecureSearch complies with the FCRA’s requirements regarding access and correction rights of data subject.

SecureSearch reserves the right to engage in reasonable efforts to confirm the identity of the individual requesting their personal data. This is done to ensure the information is provided only to the subject of the data. If we are unable to provide the individual with access to his or her EU or Swiss Personal Data or to correct the data, we will notify the individual. To request

information relating to his or her personal data, or to request processing be halted, a data subject may contact SecureSearch at Support@SecureSearchPro.com .

7. Recourse, Enforcement, and Liability 
SecureSearch is subject to the investigatory and enforcement powers of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

In compliance with the US-E.U. and Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Principles, SecureSearch commits to resolve complaints about your privacy and our collection or use of your personal information. European Union or Swiss individuals with inquiries or complaints regarding this privacy policy should first contact SecureSearch at Support@SecureSearchPro.com .

SecureSearch has further committed to refer unresolved privacy complaints under the EU-U.S. and Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Principles to an independent dispute resolution mechanism, the BBB EU PRIVACY SHIELD, operated by the Council of Better Business Bureaus. If you do not receive timely acknowledgment of your complaint, or if your complaint is not satisfactorily addressed, please visit http://www.bbb.org/EU-privacy-shield/for-eu-consumers  for more  information and to file a complaint. SecureSearch will cooperate with the EU Data Protection Authorities and the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner and will comply with the advice of such authorities with respect to Human Resources data transferred from the European Economic Area and Switzerland in context of the employment relationship.

Please note that if your complaint is not resolved through these channels, under limited circumstances, a binding arbitration option may be available before a Privacy Shield Panel.

Should you have any questions please contact SecureSearch:

1400 Village Square Blvd. #3-199
Tallahassee, FL 32312
Support@SecureSearchPro.com
866-891-1954, Option 1