Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide to Us

We collect information that you voluntarily provide when using our Services:

• Search Queries: Phone numbers, email addresses, names, addresses, or other information you enter into our search tools
• Account Information: If you create an account, we collect your email address, username, and password
• Communications: Information you provide when you contact us for support or send us feedback
• Survey Responses: Information you provide if you participate in surveys or promotions

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use our Services, we automatically collect certain information:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Data: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked, search queries performed
• Location Data: Approximate location based on IP address (not precise geolocation)
• Referral Information: How you arrived at our Services (e.g., search engine, direct link, advertisement)

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from:

• Affiliate Partners: When you click on affiliate links and interact with partner services
• Analytics Providers: Aggregated usage statistics and demographic information
• Public Sources: Publicly available information that we aggregate for our informational tools

2. How We Collect Information

2.1 Direct Collection

You provide information directly when you:

• Use our search tools and enter information
• Create an account or profile
• Subscribe to newsletters or communications
• Contact our customer support
• Complete surveys or provide feedback

2.2 Automated Collection

We use various technologies to collect information automatically:

• Cookies: Small text files stored on your device
• Web Beacons: Small graphic images (also called pixel tags)
• Analytics Tools: Google Analytics and similar services
• Log Files: Server logs that record system activity

2.3 Third-Party Collection

Third-party services integrated into our platform (analytics providers, advertising partners, affiliate networks) may collect information about your visit using their own tracking technologies.

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 To Provide and Improve Services

• Process your search queries and deliver results
• Provide access to educational resources and tools
• Maintain and improve our Services
• Develop new features and functionality
• Analyze usage patterns and optimize user experience

3.2 To Communicate With You

• Respond to your inquiries and support requests
• Send you service-related announcements
• Provide educational content and scam alerts (if you opt in)
• Send promotional messages and offers (with your consent)

3.3 For Safety and Security

• Detect, prevent, and address fraud and abuse
• Protect against security threats
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Comply with legal obligations

3.4 For Business Purposes

• Generate affiliate commissions when you interact with partner services
• Analyze aggregate data for business intelligence
• Conduct research and analytics
• Improve our business operations

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 Affiliate Partners

When you click on affiliate links and choose to use partner services, you will be directed to that partner's website. At that point, the partner's privacy policy governs how they handle your information. We may share limited information (such as search parameters) necessary to facilitate the referral.

4.2 Service Providers

We share information with trusted service providers who perform services on our behalf:

• Hosting and infrastructure providers
• Analytics and data analysis providers
• Email and communication service providers
• Payment processors (if applicable)
• Customer support tools

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or if we believe such action is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of our company, users, or the public
• Investigate and prevent fraud, security issues, or technical problems

4.4 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, bankruptcy, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and any choices you may have.

4.5 Aggregated and Anonymized Data

We may share aggregated or anonymized information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you for business, marketing, or research purposes.

5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

5.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit websites. They help websites remember information about your visit.

5.2 Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

Required for the Services to function properly. Cannot be disabled.

• Session management
• Security and fraud prevention
• Basic functionality

Analytics Cookies

Help us understand how visitors use our Services.

• Google Analytics (visitor statistics, page views, user flows)
• Performance monitoring
• Error tracking

Advertising Cookies

Used by advertising partners to serve relevant ads.

• Affiliate tracking (to credit referrals)
• Ad targeting and personalization
• Conversion tracking

5.3 Your Cookie Choices

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

• Block all cookies
• Accept only first-party cookies
• Delete existing cookies
• Receive notifications before cookies are set

Note: Disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our Services.

5.4 Do Not Track

Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" feature. Our Services do not currently respond to Do Not Track signals. You can use browser settings and third-party tools to control tracking.

6. Third-Party Services & Affiliate Partners

6.1 Affiliate Relationships

Our Services contain affiliate links to third-party services. When you click these links and interact with partner services, we may earn a commission. This does not affect your privacy, but you should be aware:

• You will leave our Services and enter the partner's website
• The partner's privacy policy will govern their handling of your information
• We may receive commission payments, but we do not receive your personal information from the partner unless you explicitly authorize sharing
• Affiliate cookies may be used to track referrals

6.2 Third-Party Privacy Policies

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.

6.3 Social Media

Our Services may include social media features (share buttons, embedded feeds). These features may collect your IP address and set cookies. Your interactions with these features are governed by the privacy policies of the companies providing them.

7. Data Security

7.1 Our Security Measures

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS/SSL)
• Secure servers with restricted access
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Employee training on data protection
• Access controls and authentication

7.2 Limitations

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security. You transmit information at your own risk.

7.3 Your Responsibility

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• Using strong, unique passwords
• Logging out of accounts on shared devices
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access

8. Data Retention

8.1 Retention Periods

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide the Services and fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy. Specific retention periods vary:

• Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward
• Search Queries: May be retained in aggregated, anonymized form indefinitely for analytics
• Transaction Records: Retained as required by law (typically 7 years)
• Communications: Retained as long as necessary for support and legal purposes

8.2 Deletion

When we no longer need your information, we will delete or anonymize it. You may request deletion of your information by contacting us (subject to legal requirements that may require us to retain certain information).

9. Your Privacy Rights

9.1 Rights You May Have

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• 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
• Portability: Request a copy of your information in a portable format
• Restriction: Request that we limit how we use your information
• Objection: Object to our processing of your information
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for processing where we rely on consent

9.2 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at: privacy@scamdetector.io

We will respond to your request within 30 days (or as required by applicable law). We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

9.3 Opt-Out of Marketing

You can opt out of marketing communications by:

• Clicking "unsubscribe" in any marketing email
• Adjusting your account communication preferences
• Contacting us at privacy@scamdetector.io

10. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

10.1 CCPA Rights

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

• Right to Know: Request information about the personal information we collect, use, and disclose
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the "sale" of your personal information
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Not be discriminated against for exercising your CCPA rights

10.2 Do We "Sell" Your Information?

Under CCPA's broad definition of "sale," sharing information for affiliate commissions might be considered a "sale." However:

• We do NOT sell your personal search history to data brokers
• We do share limited information when you click affiliate links (which may be considered a "sale" under CCPA)
• You can opt out of this sharing by not clicking affiliate links or adjusting your settings

10.3 Categories of Information Collected

Over the past 12 months, we have collected the following categories of personal information:

• Identifiers (name, email, IP address)
• Commercial information (search queries, usage history)
• Internet activity (browsing history, interactions with our Services)
• Geolocation data (approximate location based on IP)

10.4 Exercising CCPA Rights

California residents can exercise their CCPA rights by:

• Emailing: privacy@scamdetector.io
• Subject line: "CCPA Rights Request"
• Include: Your name, email, and specific request

We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights.

11. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately and we will delete such information.

12. International Users

Our Services are operated in the United States. If you are located outside the United States, please be aware that information we collect will be transferred to and processed in the United States. By using our Services, you consent to the transfer and processing of your information in the United States.

The United States may not have the same data protection laws as your country. We will take reasonable steps to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated Privacy Policy on this page
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top
• Sending an email notification (for significant changes)

Your continued use of the Services after changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us: