1. Introduction
MyHelocRates.com ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at myhelocrates.com (the "Site"). Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of the Site.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect information about you in the following ways:
- Usage Data: We automatically collect certain information when you visit the Site, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, and the dates and times of your visits.
- Calculator Inputs: Values you enter into our HELOC calculators are processed locally in your browser and are not transmitted to or stored on our servers.
- Contact Information: If you contact us via our contact form or email, we collect your name and email address to respond to your enquiry.
- Cookies & Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our Site and improve your experience. See Section 5 for more detail.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve the Site
- Understand how visitors use the Site (analytics)
- Display relevant advertisements via Google AdSense
- Respond to your enquiries and provide customer support
- Comply with legal obligations
- Detect and prevent fraudulent or abusive activity
4. Google AdSense & Third-Party Advertising
We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our Site. Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website and other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visit to our Site and/or other sites on the internet.
You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings or by visiting aboutads.info. For more information on how Google uses data, visit Google's Privacy & Terms.
5. Cookies
We use the following types of cookies:
- Essential cookies: Required for the Site to function properly.
- Analytics cookies: We use Google Analytics to understand Site traffic and usage patterns. This data is aggregated and anonymised.
- Advertising cookies: Used by Google AdSense to deliver relevant advertisements.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect Site functionality.
6. Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to analyse the use of our Site. Google Analytics gathers information about website use by means of cookies. The information gathered is used to create reports about the use of our Site. Google's privacy policy is available at policies.google.com/privacy.
7. Disclosure of Your Information
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:
- With service providers who assist in operating the Site (e.g., hosting, analytics)
- If required by law, regulation, or legal process
- To protect the rights, property, or safety of MyHelocRates.com, our users, or others
- In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our assets
8. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law. Contact form submissions are retained for up to 12 months.
9. Children's Privacy
Our Site is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately and we will take steps to delete such information.
10. Your Rights (California Residents — CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have the right to: request disclosure of personal information we collect about you; request deletion of your personal information; opt out of the sale of your personal information (we do not sell personal information); and not be discriminated against for exercising these rights. To exercise these rights, contact us at the details below.
11. Links to Third-Party Sites
Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party site you visit.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of changes by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Your continued use of the Site after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us via our Contact Page.