Lightning Leasing PRIVACY POLICY
UNITED STATES Lightning Leasing PRIVACY POLICY
This privacy policy (the “Privacy Policy”) of Lightning Leasing, Inc. (collectively, with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “Lightning Leasing,” “we,” “us” or “our”) describes our privacy practices regarding information we collect from persons or entities in the United States (“you” or “your”) who access our Lightning Leasing websites or our related downloadable mobile applications that we may make available from time to time (collectively, the “Site”).
PURPOSE. The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to inform you about the types of information we gather about you, including information gathered when you visit the Site, and information we may receive from third parties or affiliates in addition to that online information, how we may use that information, whether we disclose that information to anyone, and the choices you have regarding our use of, and your ability to correct, the information. Lightning Leasing strives to help visitors of the Site protect their privacy while using our Site.
We collect information on behalf of property owners and managers who list or advertise properties on the Site and/or use services offered through the Site to communicate or transact with potential or actual renters (the “Property Managers”) and for our own use in connection with our operation of the Site. All information pertaining to the specific properties is passed along to that property’s Property Manager. This Privacy Policy governs our use of such information, but does not govern the use, storage and/or further collection of information that may occur at the property level, which use, storage and further collection will be governed by each property’s privacy policy. If made available to us, we will attempt to provide information indicating the location of the property’s privacy policy. If a privacy policy is not available for a property, we will provide appropriate contact information for the property and/or you should seek such information from the Property Manager.
THE SITE IS NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN AND Lightning Leasing DOES NOT KNOWINGLY SOLICIT OR COLLECT PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THE SITE FROM CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13. IF Lightning Leasing LEARNS THAT A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 13 HAS SUBMITTED PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION TO Lightning Leasing THROUGH THE SITE, IT WILL TAKE REASONABLE MEASURES TO DELETE SUCH INFORMATION FROM ITS RECORDS AND TO NOT USE SUCH INFORMATION FOR ANY PURPOSE (EXCEPT WHERE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THE CHILD OR OTHERS, AS REQUIRED BY LAW, OR AS MAY OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED BY LAW).
YOUR CONSENT AND POLICY CHANGES. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE PRIVACY POLICY CAREFULLY. BY USING THE SITE, YOU EXPRESSLY CONSENT, WITHOUT QUALIFICATION, TO THE COLLECTION, USE AND DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION, INCLUDING PERSONAL INFORMATION, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY, YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO USE THE SITE.
Lightning Leasing may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time. Should the Privacy Policy be modified in any way, the new Privacy Policy will be posted to this webpage. As we may make changes from time to time without notifying you, we suggest that you periodically review the Privacy Policy. By using the Site after the effective date of any modification to the Privacy Policy, you expressly consent, without qualification, to the collection, use and disclosure of information, including Personally Identifiable Information (that you previously provided or later provide), as described in the new Privacy Policy.
TYPES OF Information COLLECTED. We collect two types of information: personally identifiable information and non-personally identifiable information. Personally identifiable information is information that identifies you or can be used to identify or contact you (“Personally Identifiable Information”). We also may collect information that by itself typically cannot be used to identify or contact you, such as demographic information (e.g. age, profession or gender), user Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, browser types, domain names, internet service providers, referring/exit pages, date/time stamp, operating system, clickstream data, information about you such as how you use of the Site and your communication preferences, and other anonymous statistical data involving the use of our Site (“Non-Personally Identifiable Information”).
Personally Identifiable Information we collect may include your name, email addresses, postal addresses, ZIP codes, social security number, driver’s license number, prior addresses, monthly rent paid at prior residences, employers, job titles, income, telephone numbers, credit card information, bank account information and routing numbers, date of birth, gender, age, marital status, user name and password (if you choose to become a registered user of the Site or our products and services), emergency contact information, information about your pets, information about your vehicles including license plate numbers, and other information either desirable or necessary to provide quality services to our customers and visitors. We may also collect information about you such as your use of the Site and communication preferences.
You may choose not to provide your Personally Identifiable Information by not entering it on the Site; however you will not be able to use certain services and features if those services and features require Personally Identifiable Information in order to function.
USE OF COOKIES AND OTHER TECHNOLOGIES. Like many other website operators, Lightning Leasing may use cookies to customize content specific to your interests and track your use of the Site. “Cookies” are text files that are placed on your computer and may be used to store your personal information. In addition to cookies, Lightning Leasing may use other now known or later developed technologies, to assist Lightning Leasing in observing the behavior of users visiting the Site. These technologies access individual user information but the information is used only to compile aggregated statistics about the Site’s usage.
This Site uses Google Analytics (and in the future may use other similar sites or services), a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”), to better assist Lightning Leasing in understanding how the Site is used. Google Analytics will place cookies on your computer that will generate information that we select about your use of the Site, including your computer’s IP address. That information will be transmitted to and stored by Google. The information will be used for the purpose of evaluating consumer use of the Site, compiling reports on Site activity for Lightning Leasing’s use, and providing other services relating to Site activity and usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google’s behalf. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser. Please note that by doing so, you may not be able to use the full functionality of the Site. The use of cookies by Google Analytics is covered by Google’s privacy policy (http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/).
How We Collect and Use Information. We may collect information in several ways by your use of this Site, as well as from forms you submit to us, personal correspondence, such as emails or letters that you send to us, information you include in an application you complete on the Site, i
Lightning Leasing Privacy Policy – United States
This document (“Privacy Policy”) explains how Lightning Leasing, Inc. (including its subsidiaries and affiliates, hereinafter “Lightning Leasing,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and shares data from individuals and entities in the United States (“you” or “your”) who visit our websites or access our related mobile applications (collectively, the “Site”).
The aim of this Privacy Policy is to explain what types of information we gather about you—whether during your visit to our Site, from third-party sources, or via our affiliates—and how we use, share, and allow you to manage or update this information. Lightning Leasing is committed to protecting your privacy as you use our Site.
We collect data on behalf of property owners and managers (“Property Managers”) who list or advertise properties on our Site, or who use our services to connect with prospective or current renters. Data specific to a property is forwarded to its respective Property Manager. This policy governs our handling of such information only. The collection, storage, and use of property-specific data is subject to that property’s own privacy policy. Where available, we will provide details on how to locate a property’s privacy policy; if none exists, we encourage you to contact the Property Manager directly.
Not for Minors.
The Site is not intended for children under the age of 13. Lightning Leasing does not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If we learn that such information has been provided by a child under 13, we will promptly remove it from our records and refrain from further use, except as required to ensure the child's safety or as mandated by law.
Your Consent.
By accessing or using the Site, you unconditionally agree to the collection, utilization, and disclosure of your information—including personal data—as described herein. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please refrain from using the Site.
Policy Updates.
Lightning Leasing reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy periodically. Any changes will be posted on this page, and because updates may occur without prior notification, we recommend reviewing the policy regularly. Your continued use of the Site after any modifications signifies your acceptance of the updated terms, including the processing of any personal information you have provided or may provide in the future.
We gather two categories of data:
You are free to withhold PII; however, doing so may restrict access to certain features or services that require this data.
We, like many website operators, use cookies to tailor content to your interests and monitor your usage of the Site. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that may contain personal data. Additionally, we may employ other current or future technologies to analyze user behavior on our Site, with the data solely used for compiling aggregated usage statistics.
Our Site utilizes Google Analytics—a service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”)—to help us understand how the Site is used. Google Analytics places cookies on your device that collect selected data, including your IP address, which is transmitted to and stored by Google. This information is used to evaluate Site usage, compile activity reports for Lightning Leasing, and provide other related services. Google may also share this data with third parties if required by law or for processing on its behalf. You may disable cookies through your browser settings, although doing so might limit some functionality of the Site. Google’s use of cookies is governed by its privacy policy, available at Google Privacy Policy.
How We Collect Data:
We may obtain information through various methods including:
Additionally, Property Managers or our third-party service providers might request that you supply personal information on our Site or their websites, which they then share with us in accordance with their own privacy policies. Our handling of this data is subject to those policies rather than this Privacy Policy.
Referral Program:
If you use our “Refer a Friend” feature, we will ask for your friend’s name and email address to send them a one-time invitation to visit the Site. This data is used solely for sending the invitation and monitoring the success of our referral program.
You may receive emails from Lightning Leasing for various reasons, such as:
We respect your desire to control email communications. If you have a Lightning Leasing account, you can adjust your email preferences via your account settings or by following instructions provided in our emails. Please note that even if you unsubscribe from promotional emails, we may still contact you for essential transactional or administrative matters.
Lightning Leasing may share your personal data under the following circumstances:
We may also be compelled to disclose your information in response to legal requests from law enforcement agencies.
Interactive areas of the Site (such as blogs, forums, and chat rooms) may require registration, and any personal information you share in these public forums may be visible to all users. Please exercise caution when posting personal data.
We are committed to securing the personal information you provide. Although we implement commercially reasonable safeguards to protect your data, we cannot guarantee complete security over internet transmissions. Once received, your data is stored on secure servers (or, for offline information, in secure physical storage) protected by measures designed to prevent unauthorized access. We may store and process your information in the United States, Canada, or other countries where we or our agents have facilities. By using the Site, you consent to the transfer of your data among these locations, even if they are outside your home country.
This Privacy Policy applies only to data collected by Lightning Leasing. It does not cover external websites accessed via our Site, such as third-party sites handling payments or screenings, property websites, or ForRent.com. These external sites have their own privacy policies and practices, and Lightning Leasing is not responsible for them. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any websites you visit beyond our Site.
To provide you with requested products and services, answer inquiries, and comply with regulatory requirements, we retain your personal information for a reasonable period. While data in client or contact directories may be more difficult to erase completely, we periodically remove such information when it is no longer necessary, and we will promptly delete it upon receiving your written request. Physical documents containing personal data are shredded, and electronic data is deleted. When disposing of hardware used for data storage, we ensure that all information is permanently erased or that the device is physically destroyed.
You can review and update most of your personal data by logging into your Lightning Leasing account and modifying your profile or by contacting us directly. It is your responsibility to promptly update any inaccurate or changed information. In cases where we disagree with your corrections, we may attach a brief statement explaining the discrepancy and, if requested, forward that statement to any recipients of your data.
In certain instances, such as when data is collected on behalf of a third party, the information may have been transmitted directly to that party and might not be available in our records. You would then need to contact the third party directly to review or update your information.
Should you request access to your personal data, we may require you to verify your identity. We reserve the right to charge a nominal fee for processing such requests and may require that requests be submitted in writing. If we are unable to grant access, we will notify you within 30 days (or as soon as practicable) with an explanation.
We are dedicated to protecting your privacy. Your phone numbers and consent for SMS communications will not be shared with any third parties for marketing purposes.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us via email you provided when scheduling a property visit through the Site, or any other activity through which you identify yourself to us. When you visit the Site, our servers may log your IP address, the URL of your request and other information that is provided in the HTTP header. We may also ask you to voluntarily provide us with personal information on this Site: for example, while many of the features of the Site are available without registering, you may be asked to create an account on the Site if you desire to access certain features. Further, in some instances, we may ask you to provide personal information in order to perform screening services for property managers or owners. Although you may decline to voluntarily provide Personally Identifiable Information when asked, some features, products and services will be unavailable to you as a result.
In addition, Property Managers and/or our third-party service providers may ask you voluntarily to provide personal information through our Site or on their websites and may share such personal information with us, as governed by their respective privacy policies. Our use of information received from a service provider will be dictated by the service provider’s privacy policies and not this Privacy Policy.
If you choose to use the Refer a Friend email link to tell a friend about our site or a property listed on our site, we will ask for your friend’s name and email address. We will automatically send your friend a one-time email inviting him or her to visit the site. Lightning Leasing stores this information for the purposes of sending this one-time email and tracking the success of our referral program only.
Email Management. You may receive emails from Lightning Leasing and or Lightning Leasing for a variety of reasons – for example, if you took an action through the Services, you signed up for a regular report, you signed up for a saved search alert, or you added a property to your favorites list. We respect your desire to manage email correspondence. If you have an account with Lightning Leasing, you can select your preferences through your account settings. Also, you can manage your receipt of some types of communication by following the instructions included in the email we send you. Please note that, even if you unsubscribe from certain email correspondences, we may still need to email you with important transactional or administrative information.
Lightning Leasing also may disclose an individual’s personal information:
to a third party or parties, where disclosure is required or permitted by law, a judicial proceeding, a criminal investigation, a court order, or legal process; if, in the reasonable judgment of Lightning Leasing, it is necessary to enforce compliance with our internal policies or the Terms of Use, to prevent illegal activity or suspected fraud, or to protect our Site, customers, or others; and
to any other entity that acquires all or a portion of our organization by merger, reorganization, operation of law, or a sale of some or all of Lightning Leasing’s assets.
Lightning Leasing may be required to use or disclose your information in connection with a legal action or other proceeding, including without limitation, in response to a court order or a subpoena. We also may disclose such information in response to a law enforcement agency’s request.
Through the Site, Lightning Leasing may make available areas that allow for user interaction, including blogs, forums, bulletin board services, chat areas, or other message and communications features. Some of these forums may require registration. Please remember that any information that is disclosed in these areas becomes public information, and you should exercise caution when deciding to disclose your personal information.
How We Store Your Information. Lightning Leasing is committed to protecting the security of any personal information you provide to us. We maintain commercially reasonable safeguards to maintain the security and privacy of personal information that you provide to us. In spite of these protections, Lightning Leasing cannot guarantee the security of any data submitted over the Internet. After your information reaches Lightning Leasing, however, it is stored on servers (or in the case of information received from you in person, in writing or over the phone, in physical storage areas) protected by procedures and technology designed to block reasonably foreseeable intrusions by unauthorized third parties. We may store and process your personal information in the United States or Canada or any other country in which we or our agents maintain facilities. By using the Site, you consent to the transfer of your information among these facilities, including those located outside your home country.
Third-Party Websites. This Privacy Policy applies solely to information collected by Lightning Leasing. This Privacy Policy does not apply to other websites that are accessible through this Site, including but not limited to any third-party websites that process payments or perform screenings on behalf of Lightning Leasing, any property website, and ForRent.com. Please be aware that third-party websites that process payments or perform screenings for Lightning Leasing and websites for our advertisers, sponsors, affiliated entities and other third parties that are accessible through this Site may have their own privacy and data collection policies and practices. Lightning Leasing is not responsible for the privacy practices of such sites and will not be responsible for any actions or policies of such third parties. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave the Site and to read the privacy statements of each and every website that you visit.
RETENTION AND DESTRUCTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION. In order to provide you with the products and services you request, answer questions you may have about the products and services provided, and for our own accountability to external regulatory bodies, we retain your information for a period deemed reasonable under the circumstances. Information stored in client and contact directories are more difficult to systematically destroy, so we remove such information from time to time when it appears we will no longer have a need to contact you, however we will promptly remove such information upon your written request. Paper files containing personal information are destroyed by shredding, and we destroy electronic information by deleting it. When we discard hardware that was used to store data, we ensure that the data is completely and permanently erased or that the hardware is physically destroyed.
ACCESSING, REVIEWING AND CHANGING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. You can see, review and change most of your personal information by logging into your account on Lightning Leasing and editing your Account Profile or by contacting us at the addresses below. If your personal information changes or is inaccurate, you must change it promptly. If we disagree that certain information is incorrect, we will include a brief statement from you on the discrepancy and, if you want us to, we will forward your brief statement on your behalf to anyone who received the information from us.
In some instances, where requested by you and a Property Manager, we will use your personal information to conduct a screening process and/or produce a screening report or provide your information to a screening company in order to obtain a screening report for the Property Manager. The screening report may include credit information. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), you may have the right to access, view and correct credit information relating to you held by a credit bureau by contacting the credit bureau.
There may be circumstances where your personal information is not accessible, reviewable or able to be modified by you through your Lightning Leasing account. With some exceptions, you have the right to see what personal information we hold about you. Often all you have to do is ask. We can help you identify what records we might have about you and we will also try to help you understand any information you do not understand (such as abbreviated data or technical language). We may need to confirm your identity before providing you with this access, and we reserve the right to charge a nominal fee for such requests. In some cases, we may require that your request to us for access be made in writing. If we cannot give you access, we will tell you within 30 days or as soon as reasonably practicable and provide you with a reason, as best we can, as to why we cannot give you access.
If we collected personal information on behalf of a third party we may have conveyed that information directly to the third party. If so, it may not exist as part of our own records and you will have to go to the third party to see the information.
We are dedicated to safeguarding your privacy. Your phone numbers and SMS consent will not be shared with third parties.
Contact Us. If you have questions regarding our Privacy Policy or the use of information collected, you can contact us by email.
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