UESF Privacy Policy
Utility Emergency Services Fund (“UESF”) provides this privacy policy, which outlines the data collection and usage practices of uesfacts.org, our social media sites, and any other place this privacy policy is posted (collectively the “Website”). Our commitment to privacy is of the utmost importance and we take the protection of your personal information seriously. We want you to understand what information we collect and how we use it.
Scope and Consent:
This privacy policy applies to personal information processed by us in connection with our website, providing our services, or as part of our business relationships. By engaging or communicating with us, you signify that you have read, understood, and agree to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this privacy policy. By continuing to use our website, receiving our services, or otherwise working with us, you consent to this privacy policy. If you do not agree to this privacy policy, please discontinue any further use of the website immediately.
Information Collection:
We collect the following categories of personal information from a variety of sources, including from you and other third parties such as any community organizations that we received referrals from.
1. Identifiers: We may collect personal information such as your name, email address, postal address, and phone number.
2. Sensitive Personal Information: We may collect sensitive personal information such as your Social Security number, driver’s license number, or state identification number.
3. Financial Information: We may collect financial information such as your income and information related to utilities and other household expenses, bank account information, or credit card numbers.
4. Veteran Status: We may collect information related to your veteran’s status, including discharge status.
5. Disability Status: We may collect personal information related to your disability status.
6. Your Communications with Us: We may collect any other personal information you choose to provide to us, such as personal information you provide in your communications to us.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and other tracking technologies to collect information about your use of our website, which may include recordings of your online activities.
8. Log Data: We may collect log data when you use our website. This information may include your IP address, browser type, operating system, and website usage data.
How We Use Your Information:
1. To Provide Our Services: We may use your personal information to evaluate your eligibility for our programs, manage your personal information, provide you with the services you have requested, manage our relationship with you, and provide you other types of support.
2. To Communicate with You: We may use your personal information to communicate with you about our relationship with you, and to provide you with our newsletter or any other types of communication.
3. To Manage Donations and Business Developments: We may use your personal information to manage donations you may provide and to develop business and partnerships with other non-profits, corporations, and government entities.
4. For our Administrative Purposes: We may use your personal information for various administrative purposes, such as: pursuing our legitimate interest such as direct marketing, research, and development; network and information security, including detecting security incidents, protecting against malicious, deceptive, fraudulent, or illegal activity and prosecuting those responsible for that activity; measuring interest and engagement with our Websites and programs; short-term, transient use, such as contextual customization of ads; improving, upgrading, or enhancing our Websites; authenticating and verifying individual identities; debugging to identify and repair errors with our Websites; auditing relating to interactions, transactions, and other compliance activities; disclosing personal information with third parties as needed to comply with our legal or other obligations; enforcing our agreements and policies; processing job applications and making a decision related to a job applications; or carrying out activities that are required to comply with our legal obligations. We may use cookies and tracking technologies to analyze and improve our website, to personalize your experience, and to display advertising that is more relevant to your interests. We may use log data to analyze and improve our website and to detect and prevent fraud.
5. For any other purpose, with your consent.
Who We Disclose Your Data To:
We may disclose your personal information for any of our business and commercial purposes to the following third parties:
• Service Providers: We may disclose your personal information with our third-party services providers and vendors. These third parties may include IT support, internet service providers, data analytics providers, social networks, customer service, and marketing support.
• Business Partners: We may disclose your personal information with our business partners, including those with whom we may jointly offer services.
• Affiliates: We may disclose your personal information with our affiliates, such as for our administrative purposes, IT management, or for them to provide services to you or support and supplement our services.
• Advertising Partners: We may disclose your personal information with third-party advertising partners, such as advertising networks. These third-party advertising partners may set cookies and other tracking technologies to collect and record information regarding your activities and your device (e.g., your IP address, cookie identifiers, page(s) visited, location, time of day).
• As Required or Permitted by Law: We may also disclose your personal information with third parties as required or permitted by law. These may include: to comply with law enforcement or national security requests and legal process, such as a court order or subpoena; protect your, our, or others’ rights, property, or safety; enforce our policies or contracts; collect amounts owed to us; or assist with an investigation or prosecution of suspected or actual illegal activity.
• Business Transactions: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, financing due diligence, reorganization, bankruptcy, receivership, purchase or sale of assets, or transition of service to another provider, your information may be sold or transferred as part of such a transaction, as permitted by law and/or contract.
• Other Third Parties: For our other legitimate business purposes not otherwise prohibited by law.
Data Security:
We take data security seriously and have implemented appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. However, no system can be 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.
Data Retention:
We will retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide you with our services, fulfil the purpose(s) for which it was collected, resolve disputes, establish legal defenses, conduct audits, pursue our legitimate business purposes, enforce our agreements, or as required by applicable laws or regulations.
Your Rights:
You have the right to access, modify, and delete your personal information at any time. You can request to access your information by contacting us at 215.972.5170.
Your Privacy Choices
The choices you have about the privacy of your personal information are outlined below and may vary based on your location.
• Email Communications: If you receive an unwanted marketing email from us, you can use the unsubscribe link found at the bottom of the email to opt out of receiving future emails. Note that you will continue to receive transaction-related emails.
• Phone calls / Text Messages: If you receive an unwanted phone call or text message from us, you may opt out of receiving future phone calls or text messages from us by following the instructions which may be available during the call or included in the text message or by Contacting Us.
• “Do Not Track.” Do Not Track (“DNT”) is a privacy preference that users can set in certain web browsers. Our website does not respond to or honor DNT signals or similar mechanisms transmitted by web browsers.
• Cookies and Personalized Advertising: You may be able to stop or restrict the placement of certain tracking technologies on your device or remove them by adjusting your browser or device settings. However, some settings may impact your ability to use our services. Certain online advertising industry websites may allow you to opt out of receiving targeted ads from data partners and other advertising partners that participate in self-regulatory programs by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative and the Digital Advertising Alliance. Please note you must separately opt out in each browser and on each device.
Changes to this Privacy Policy:
We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes to our privacy practices or to comply with legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the revised policy on our website or as otherwise required by applicable law. The revised version will contain the latest updates at the time we post it as designated by the “Effective Date” below. You understand and agree that you will be deemed to have accepted the updated privacy policy if you continue to visit our website, participate in our programs, or otherwise interact with us after the new privacy policy takes effect.
Contact Us:
If you have any questions or concerns about our privacy policy, please contact us at 215.972.5170.
Effective Date: [March 15, 2024]