1. Introduction and scope
This Privacy Policy explains how My Financial Next Step, together with its owners, operators and affiliates (“we,” “us” or “our”), collects, uses, discloses, retains and protects personal information when you visit myfinancialnextstep.com, submit a form, request a consultation, or communicate with us by phone, text or email (collectively, the “Site”). It applies to residents of every U.S. state and is written to meet the requirements of applicable federal and state privacy laws. By using the Site, you acknowledge this Privacy Policy and agree to our Terms and Conditions, including the dispute resolution and arbitration provisions incorporated in Section 18 below.
If you later become a client of any financial, insurance or advisory firm, that firm’s own privacy notice, including any notice required under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, will govern the information collected in that relationship.
2. Information we collect
Information you provide. Identifiers and contact details such as your name, email address, phone number and the topics you are interested in; the content of any message you send; your communication preferences and consent choices; and any other information you choose to share with us.
Information collected automatically. Internet and device information such as IP address, browser type and version, device type, operating system, language, referring and exit pages, pages viewed, links clicked, time spent on pages, date and time of access, approximate location derived from IP address, and similar usage data.
Cookies and similar technologies. Cookies, pixels, tags, scripts, local storage and similar tools used by us and our service providers, including analytics and tag management tools such as Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager.
Information from other sources. Information from service providers, publicly available sources, and partners where permitted by law, which we may combine with information you provide.
We ask that you not send us sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, passwords, health information or government identification numbers through the Site.
3. How we use information
- To respond to your inquiries and requests, and to schedule and conduct consultations
- To contact you by phone, text message or email about your request and related services, consistent with your consent
- To provide, operate, maintain, personalize and improve the Site and our Content
- To understand how visitors use the Site, measure performance and analyze trends
- To market our services, where permitted by law and consistent with your choices
- To detect, prevent and respond to spam, fraud, security incidents and other harmful or illegal activity
- To comply with legal, regulatory, compliance and recordkeeping obligations
- To establish, exercise or defend legal claims and enforce our Terms
- For any other purpose disclosed to you when the information is collected, or with your consent
4. How we disclose information
We do not sell your personal information for money. We may disclose personal information to:
- Service providers that perform services for us, such as website hosting, form processing, email and text message delivery, customer relationship management, scheduling, analytics and security, who are contractually limited in how they may use it
- Affiliated or associated firms and professionals involved in responding to your request, where permitted by law
- Legal and regulatory authorities when required by law, regulation, subpoena, court order or regulatory inquiry, or to protect our rights, property or safety or that of others
- Successors in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, sale of assets or similar transaction
- Others with your consent or at your direction
5. Text messaging and phone privacy
If you provide a phone number and consent to be contacted, we may call or text you about your request, including using automated technology, as described in our Terms. Message frequency varies, and message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out of texts at any time, or HELP for help. We do not sell, rent or share your mobile phone number or text messaging opt-in consent with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes. Information may be shared with service providers solely to deliver messages on our behalf.
6. Cookies, analytics and online tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Site, remember preferences, measure traffic, understand engagement and evaluate the effectiveness of our communications. Third-party analytics providers such as Google may collect information about your use of the Site and other websites over time. You can learn how Google uses data at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites, and you can opt out of Google Analytics with the browser add-on available from Google. Most browsers let you block or delete cookies, though some parts of the Site may not work properly if you do.
Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control. Some browsers send “Do Not Track” signals. Because there is no common industry standard for these signals, the Site does not currently respond to them. Where required by applicable state law, we honor recognized opt-out preference signals, such as Global Privacy Control, as a request to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information for targeted advertising for that browser or device.
7. Your state privacy rights
Depending on the state where you live, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and other states that adopt similar laws, you may have some or all of the following rights, subject to legal exceptions:
- Right to know and access the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you, the sources, the purposes, and the categories of third parties to whom it was disclosed
- Right to correct inaccurate personal information
- Right to delete personal information we collected from you
- Right to data portability, meaning a copy of your personal information in a portable format
- Right to opt out of the sale of personal information, the sharing of personal information for cross-context behavioral or targeted advertising, and profiling in furtherance of decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects
- Right to limit the use of sensitive personal information, where applicable
- Right to non-discrimination for exercising any of these rights
- Right to appeal our decision on your request
How to submit a request. Submit a request through our Contact page and include the words “Privacy Request” and the right you wish to exercise. We will verify your identity by matching information you provide with information we hold, and we may ask for additional information to do so. You may use an authorized agent, who must provide proof of authorization. We will respond within the time required by applicable law, generally forty-five (45) days, which may be extended where permitted. If we deny your request, you may appeal by replying to our decision and stating “Privacy Appeal,” and we will respond within the time required by law. If your appeal is denied, you may contact your state’s attorney general.
California notice. In the past twelve months, we have collected the categories of personal information described in Section 2 (identifiers, internet or other electronic network activity, approximate geolocation and inferences drawn from that information) for the purposes in Section 3, and disclosed them to the categories of recipients in Section 4. We do not sell personal information, and we do not knowingly sell or share the personal information of consumers under 16. California residents may also request information about disclosures for direct marketing purposes under California Civil Code Section 1798.83.
Nevada residents. We do not sell covered information as defined under Nevada law. You may still submit a request to opt out of any future sale through our Contact page.
8. Marketing choices
You can unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in any email, opt out of texts by replying STOP, and ask us to stop calling you at any time. We may still send you non-marketing messages related to a request you made.
9. Data retention
We keep personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including to respond to your request, maintain business records, meet legal, regulatory, tax, compliance and recordkeeping requirements, resolve disputes and enforce our agreements. When information is no longer needed, we delete it or de-identify it.
10. Data security
We use reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse or alteration. However, no website, internet transmission or storage system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You transmit information to us at your own risk. If we become aware of a security breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you as required by applicable law.
11. Children’s privacy
The Site is intended for adults and is not directed to children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13, or from anyone under 18 without appropriate consent where required. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
12. Third-party websites and services
The Site may link to or integrate third-party websites and services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to them, and we are not responsible for their privacy or security practices. Review the privacy policies of any third party you interact with.
13. De-identified and aggregated information
We may create de-identified or aggregated information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you, and we may use and disclose it for any lawful purpose. We will maintain and use de-identified information in de-identified form and will not attempt to re-identify it, except as permitted by law.
14. Users outside the United States
The Site is operated in the United States and intended for U.S. residents. If you access it from outside the United States, you understand that your information will be processed and stored in the United States, where privacy laws may differ from those in your country.
15. Accessibility
If you need this Privacy Policy in an alternative format because of a disability, contact us through our Contact page.
16. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will post the updated version on this page and revise the “Last updated” date. Material changes will be effective when posted unless applicable law requires otherwise. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted means you accept the updated Privacy Policy.
17. Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the disclaimers and limitations of liability in our Terms and Conditions apply to any claim relating to this Privacy Policy or our handling of personal information.
18. Dispute resolution and arbitration
Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Privacy Policy, our privacy practices, or our collection, use, disclosure or protection of personal information, including any claim under federal or state privacy, consumer protection, telephone, text messaging or data breach laws, will be resolved exclusively through final and binding individual arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act, in accordance with Sections 19 through 21 of our Terms and Conditions, which are incorporated here by reference. This includes the informal dispute resolution process, the class action and jury trial waiver, the small claims exception and your right to opt out of arbitration described there. This arbitration agreement applies to residents of every state to the fullest extent permitted by law. Nothing in this section limits any non-waivable right you have under the laws of your state, or your right to submit a privacy request or complaint to a government agency.
19. Contact us
For questions about this Privacy Policy, to exercise your privacy rights, or to send legal notices, contact us through our Contact page.