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Privacy policy
United Financial Services Group,
Inc.
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Legal
Information
Your privacy is very important to us. This Privacy Policy
discloses how United Financial Services Group, Inc. (“United”)
and its affiliates collect, protect, use and share personal
information gathered about you, in conformance with the
applicable law. All personal information is collected in a
fair and non-intrusive manner, with your voluntary consent.
Personal Information is not accessible to anyone outside the
specific function for which it is collected. United respects
the privacy of employees and job applicants, franchisees,
development agents, United customers and other visitors to our
websites who may choose to provide personal information. We
recognize the need for appropriate protection and management
of personal information that you provide to us. This Privacy
Policy will assist you to understand what types of information
we may collect, how that information may be used, and with
whom the information may be shared.
In an effort to comply with the law, and our commitment to
protect your personal information, we provide the following,
which discloses our policies. Please note that this Privacy
Policy does not govern the privacy policies and procedures of
United’s independently owned and operated United franchises.
What type of information do we collect?
Personal Information is any information
concerning the personal or material circumstances of an
identified or identifiable individual. An identifiable person
is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, by
reference to an identification number or to one or more
factors specific to his or her physical, physiological,
mental, economic, cultural or social identity.
Personal Information shall include but is not limited to:
identifying information such as name, home address, home
telephone number, e-mail address, Social Security number,
financial information and employment-related information such
as may be found on resumes, applications, background
verification information, or in employment references.
We will not collect sensitive Personal Information, except
to comply with Affirmative Action data requirements. Sensitive
Personal Information can include but is not limited to:
information pertaining to gender, disabilities and veteran
status.
Cookies – Internet Users
In addition to Personal Information, we use data
collection devices such as “cookies” on certain web pages to
help analyze our web page flow and measure promotional
effectiveness. Cookies are pieces of information a website
sends to an individual’s hard drive while they are viewing the
website. Cookies allow the website to remember important
information that will make your visit to the site more useful.
We use cookies to help improve your future visits. If you do
not wish to receive a cookie or if you wish to set your
browser to warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or if
you wish to turn off all cookies, use the options on your
browser to assist you. The “Help” option on your browser may
assist you in changing your cookie preferences. Please note
that by turning cookies off, you will not have access to many
features available on our website.
Children and Data Collection
We care about the safety of children. We will not
knowingly allow anyone under 13 to provide us any personally
identifying information. Children under 13 years of age are
required to obtain the express permission of a parent or
guardian before submitting any Personal Information about
themselves (such as their names, e-mail addresses, and phone
numbers) over the Internet.
Our Use of Your Information
We use your Personal Information to facilitate
the services you request. We have tailored our Privacy Policy
to adequately inform you of the use of your Personal
Information.
Collection and Use of Employee Personal Information
United also collects Personal Information from its employees
and applicants (human resource data) in connection with
administration of its Human Resources programs and functions.
These programs and functions include, but are not limited to:
job applications and hiring programs, compensation and benefit
programs, performance appraisals, training, access to United
facilities and computer networks, employee profiles, internal
intranet employee directories, Human Resource recordkeeping,
Affirmative Action data, and other employment related
purposes.
It is the policy of United to keep all past and present employee information private from disclosure to third parties. There are certain business related exceptions and they are:
1. To comply with local, county, state or federal agency
requests;
2. Inquiries from third parties with a signed authorization
from the employee to release the information, except in
situations where limited verbal verifications are acceptable
(see below);
3. Third parties with which United has contractual agreements
to assist in administration of company sponsored benefits.
Verifications of Employment
Prospective employers, state agencies, financial
institutions, and residential property managers routinely
contact United requesting information on a former or current
employee’s work history and salary. All such requests of this
type shall be referred to and completed on a confidential
basis by the Human Resources
Department or Payroll Department.
For written verification of employment requests, information
will be provided on the form only when it is accompanied by an
employee’s signed authorization to release information. The
form will be returned directly to the requesting party and
filed as part of the Human Resources or Payroll Department’s
confidential records.
Medical Information
United is compliant with federal HIPAA regulations and only
utilizes information related to the company sponsored
healthcare plan on a “need to know” basis for administration
of the healthcare plan.
Collection and Use of Customer Information
United will not collect customer Personal Information, unless
the customer contacts United directly. In order to adequately
address a customer’s concern, his or her Personal Information
may be shared with the area Development Agent and franchisee.
Development Agents assist with franchise sales, site location,
training, and provide operational assistance to franchisees.
Failure to provide necessary information may prevent United
from fully addressing any customer concerns.
If you choose to enter one of United’s “Consumer Websites”
from a link on this website, these sites may ask for contact
information, name, address, phone number, and e-mail address.
As set forth more fully below, these sites each have their own
separate Privacy Policy, which can be obtained from their
website. It is important to note here, however, that these
Consumer Sites may use the information obtained to contact you
regarding products or promotions, as well as other products
and services, which may be of interest to you. At any time you
may “opt out” of future contacts by un-subscribing from our
database or contacting the Privacy Officer.
Collection and Use of Franchisee and Prospective Franchisee Information
By applying to become an United franchisee, a prospective franchisee consents to the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information in accordance with the following terms and conditions. We collect and use Personal Information in order to assist a prospective franchisee in applying to become an United franchisee and operate an United Check Cashing Center. This information may be used to assist United in selecting franchisee candidates.
Personal Information collected from prospective franchisees
include, but is not limited to: name, address, telephone
number, facsimile number, e-mail address, date of birth,
citizenship, educational background, criminal background, bank
account information for Electronic Funds Transfer, financial
statement, litigation history, and taxpayer identification
number. Failure to provide requested Personal Information may
negatively impact a prospective franchisee’s ability to become
a franchisee. In order to better service franchisees, a
franchisee’s Personal Information may be shared between United
and its affiliates, pursuant to the service contracts between
them.
A franchisee and prospective franchisee’s information may be
shared with the Development Agent, if there is one present, in
their area. A Development Agent is an independent contractor
of United or one of its affiliates. Development Agents assist
with franchise sales, site location, training, and provide
operational assistance. Development Agents also make
recommendations as to whether a prospective franchisee in
their respective territories should be granted a franchise.
The Development Agent may use this information to: address a
franchisee’s concerns in a customer complaint, respond to a
franchisee’s inquiries for franchise sales, and any other
inquiry which may require a response.
United will also share Personal Information in order to
service franchisee leasing needs and related administrative
functions. Franchisee Personal Information may be shared
during franchise transfers. Finally, franchisee Personal
Information may be shared with United Promotional Fund, (the
“Fund”) in order to provide advertising services to member
franchises.
Finally, upon becoming an United franchisee you consent to
United disclosing former or past franchisee contact
information including Personal Information in its Disclosure
Document for one (1) year after leaving the system, as
required by law. Contact our Privacy Officer in writing,
either by e-mail or regular mail, return receipt requested, of
your desire to have your details or contact information
corrected or changed when you sell or transfer your United
franchise or exit the United franchise system (whether by
termination or otherwise). To contact the Privacy Officer,
please see the section provided below entitled “Contact
Information”.
Collection and Use of Area Director Information
By applying to become an United Area Director, an
Area Director applicant consents to the collection, use, and
disclosure of Personal Information in accordance with the
following terms and conditions. We collect and use information
in order to assist you in applying, and evaluating you to
become an Area Director. Personal Information is collected to
assist United and its affiliates in selecting Area Director
candidates and for the purpose of operating a development
territory.
Personal Information collected includes, but is not limited
to: name, home address, home telephone number, facsimile
number, e-mail address, date of birth, bank account
information for Electronic Funds Transfer, financial
statement, resume, taxpayer identification number and
background checks.
Failure to provide necessary information may negatively impact
your ability to become an United Area Director.
Sharing of Personal Information
We may share Personal Information with our service providers,
consultants and affiliates for our internal business purposes.
Except as described in this Privacy Policy, United will not
share Personal Information with a third party, unless a
customer requests, consents to such disclosure, or disclosure
is required or authorized by law. United reserves the right to
disclose Personal Information to a third party if a law,
regulation, search warrant, subpoena, or court order legally
requires or authorizes us to do so. United also reserves the
right to disclose and/or transfer Personal Information to a
third party in the event of a proposed or actual purchase,
sale, lease, merger, amalgamation or any other type of
acquisition, disposal, or financing of all or any portion of
United or of any of the business or assets or shares of United
or a division thereof in order for a franchisee or Development
Agent to continue to receive the same products and services
from the third party.
As described above, United, its affiliates, third-party service providers and Area Directors may share and exchange Personal Information in order to process franchisee and Area Director applications, administer the United franchise system and protect the integrity of the United franchise system and trademarks. Personal Information may be provided to a courier or freight forwarder in order to fulfill an order, which may have been requested from us.
Our Area Directors and other service providers are prohibited
from using Personal Information for any purpose other than to
provide assistance. Area Directors are required to protect
Personal Information disclosed by us and to comply with the
general privacy principles described in this Privacy Policy.
Storage, Retention and Accuracy of Personal
Information
United insures that Personal Information is safeguarded
against loss, access, use, modification, disclosure or other
misuse. All reasonable steps are taken to prevent unauthorized
use or disclosure of your Personal Information.
United will retain your Personal Information only for as long
as necessary to fulfill the purpose(s) for which it was
collected and to comply with applicable laws, and your consent
to such purpose(s) remains valid after termination of our
relationship with you.
We take all reasonable steps to insure that your Personal
Information is accurate, up-to-date, complete, relevant and
not misleading.
United may store your Personal Information in its databases
located in the United States and/or other countries outside of
the United States. Additionally, some of our service providers
may reside in the United States or other countries outside of
the United States and will be subject to the laws of the local
jurisdiction. As a result, in certain circumstances, the
United States and other foreign governments, courts, law
enforcement agencies or regulatory agencies may be entitled to
access the Personal Information collected and held by United.
Contact Information
You may contact the Privacy Officer to access,
correct or delete your Personal Information. If necessary, the
Privacy Officer will contact another employee to assist in
completing your requested task.
If you have any questions or complaints, please contact the
Privacy Officer. The Privacy Officer can be reached by
telephone at: 800-626-0787 or 215-238-0300; by Facsimile at:
215-238-9056; by email at: info@unitedfsg.com; or by mail at
United Financial Services Group, Inc., 325 Chestnut Street,
Suite 3000, Philadelphia, PA 19106. We will address your
concern and attempt to resolve any problem. Download Privacy
Information
Request Form here.
Links to Non-United Web Sites and Third Parties
Please note that United web sites may contain links to other
web sites for your convenience and information. United does
not control those sites or their privacy practices, which may
differ from www.unitedfsg.com. United’s privacy policy cannot
and does not apply to external Web areas. We do not endorse or
make any representations about third-party web sites, and our
affiliate’s website, www.unitedcheckcashing.com each have
their own respective privacy policies on their sites, which
may differ in some ways from this site’s policy. The personal
data you choose to give to these parties is not covered by the
United privacy policy. We encourage you to review the privacy
policy of any company or website before submitting your
Personal Information. These sites may choose to share their
personal data with United: that sharing is governed by that
site’s own privacy policy.
Changes to our Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy became effective on May 20,
2008. We may revise the Privacy Policy from time to time,
without prior notification. Changes to this Privacy Policy
will be effective when posted. In case of a material change to
the Privacy Policy, we will provide notice on the Website of
any update to the Privacy Policy and post the updated Privacy
Policy. You are responsible for reviewing the current policy
when you visit our site.
Acceptance of Terms
Your continued use of this Website is an acknowledgment and
consent to any terms contained in this Privacy Policy, as it
may be amended from time to time. We will use information in
accordance with the privacy policy under which the information
was collected. Even if you are no longer a customer or
franchisee, our Privacy Policy will continue to apply to the
information you provided us. If, however, we are going to use
your personally identifiable information in a manner different
from that stated at the time of collection, we will notify you
via e-mail. You will have a choice as to whether or not we use
your information in this different manner.
By visiting our Website, you acknowledge and agree that you have read this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection, use and other processing of your information in accordance with the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to all of the terms, conditions and practices set forth herein, you should cease use of the site immediately.
