Privacy Policy - Credote

1. Introduction

Credote (“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 use our business credit reporting services.

This policy applies to all users of our platform, including creditors filing reports, debtors making payments, and visitors searching our public database.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Business Information

When filing credit reports or making payments, we collect:

Business names, addresses, and contact information
Tax identification numbers (EIN) and business registration details
Invoice numbers, amounts, dates, and payment terms
Payment history and transaction records
Supporting documentation and communication records
Dispute information and resolution details

2.2 Personal Information

We may collect personal information including:

Names and titles of business contacts
Email addresses and phone numbers
Digital signatures and verification PINs
Payment information (processed securely through Stripe)

2.3 Technical Information

We automatically collect certain technical information:

IP addresses and geographic location data
Device information and browser details
Session data and usage analytics
Cookies and similar tracking technologies
File upload metadata and processing logs

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

3.1 Core Services

Creating and maintaining business credit reports
Processing invoice default filings
Facilitating secure payment processing
Managing dispute resolution processes
Providing search and lookup services

3.2 Communication

Sending notifications about filed reports
Providing payment reminders and alerts
Delivering verification PINs and security codes
Responding to customer support inquiries

3.3 Platform Improvement

Analyzing usage patterns and service performance
Preventing fraud and maintaining security
Developing new features and improvements
Ensuring compliance with legal requirements

4. Public Information Disclosure

🔍 Public Database

Credit report information becomes part of our public database and is accessible to anyone searching our platform.

The following information is made publicly available:

Business names, addresses, and basic contact information
Invoice amounts, dates, and payment status
Payment history and credit score data
Dispute records and resolution outcomes
Business verification status and admin claims

This public disclosure is fundamental to our business model as a credit bureau and helps businesses make informed decisions about extending credit.

5. Information Sharing with Third Parties

5.1 Service Providers

We share information with trusted service providers who help us operate our platform:

Stripe: Payment processing and financial transactions
Vercel: Web hosting and file storage services
SendGrid: Email delivery and communication services
Google: Address validation and mapping services
OpenAI: Invoice parsing and data extraction

5.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law or to:

Comply with legal processes and government requests
Protect our rights and prevent fraud
Ensure user safety and platform security
Enforce our Terms of Service

6. Data Security

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your information:

SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmissions
Secure cloud storage with access controls
Regular security audits and monitoring
Multi-factor authentication for sensitive operations
Compliance with payment card industry (PCI) standards

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain information for different periods based on its purpose:

7.1 Credit Report Data

Business credit information is retained permanently as part of our public database, except when removal is required due to inaccuracy or legal requirements.

7.2 Personal Data

Personal information is retained for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations, typically 7 years for financial records.

7.3 Technical Data

Session data, logs, and analytics information are typically retained for 2 years for security and improvement purposes.

8. Your Rights and Choices

8.1 Access and Correction

You have the right to:

Access information we have about your business
Request correction of inaccurate information
File disputes about credit report entries
Update your contact and business information

8.2 Communication Preferences

You can control certain communications by:

Updating your email preferences in your account
Unsubscribing from marketing communications
Contacting us to opt out of non-essential notifications

8.3 Limitations

Due to the public nature of credit reporting, we cannot delete or restrict access to accurate credit information that has become part of the public record.

9. International Users

Our services are primarily designed for businesses operating in the United States. If you access our services from outside the US, please be aware that your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States.

By using our services, you consent to the transfer and processing of your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable US laws.

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are designed for business use and are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Significant changes will be communicated through email or prominent notices on our platform.

12. Contact Us

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

Credote Privacy Team

Email: hi@credote.com

Subject line: Privacy Policy Inquiry

13. Cookie Policy

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our platform:

13.1 Essential Cookies

Required for basic platform functionality, including:

User authentication and session management
Security and fraud prevention
Form data persistence during multi-step processes

13.2 Analytics Cookies

Help us understand how users interact with our platform:

Page views and user journey tracking
Performance monitoring and error detection
Feature usage and improvement insights

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling essential cookies may affect platform functionality.