Privacy Policy
Last updated:
This Privacy Policy describes how AlertPlumber (“AlertPlumber”, “the Service”) collects, uses, stores, and shares personal information when you visit alertplumber.com or submit a request through any AlertPlumber form. AlertPlumber is operated as a residential plumbing referral service in the United States. AlertPlumber is a referral service and is not a licensed contractor.
1. What we collect
1.1 Information you provide
- Callback request form: ZIP code, name, phone number, service requested, urgency level, and your TCPA consent timestamp.
- Contact email: if you email an AlertPlumber mailbox (editor, support, privacy, legal, corrections), we receive your email address and whatever message you send.
1.2 Information collected automatically
- Server logs: IP address, user-agent, requested URL, referrer, timestamp. Used for security, rate limiting, and debugging. Retained 30 days.
- Cookies and similar technologies: see Section 4 (Cookies & Tracking).
- Approximate geolocation: derived from IP address solely to suggest the nearest service area. AlertPlumber does not collect precise device GPS.
2. How AlertPlumber uses your information
- To match you with a verified plumber. When you submit a callback request, your contact information is shared with one verified plumbers serving your ZIP code so they can return your call.
- To operate, secure, and improve the Service. Including spam and abuse prevention via hCaptcha and rate limiting.
- To respond to your inquiries. If you email AlertPlumber, we use your email to reply.
- To comply with legal obligations. Including TCPA recordkeeping (see Section 5).
3. Who AlertPlumber shares information with
AlertPlumber shares personal information only as described below. AlertPlumber does not sell personal information.
- Verified plumbers in your area. Your ZIP, name, phone, service request, and urgency are shared with the matched plumber so they can call you back. Once shared, the plumber is an independent business and uses your information per their own policies.
- Service providers operating on our behalf: hosting (Namecheap), email delivery (Mailgun or equivalent SMTP), bot protection (hCaptcha), and analytics (Google Analytics 4 with Consent Mode v2).
- Legal compliance. If required by valid legal process, court order, or government request, or to protect rights, safety, or property.
4. Cookies & tracking
AlertPlumber uses Google Analytics 4 with Consent Mode v2. Until you accept analytics cookies via the cookie banner, GA4 runs in “denied” mode and only sends cookieless aggregated pings. If you consent, GA4 sets standard `_ga` and `_ga_*` cookies for visitor measurement.
AlertPlumber does not use third-party advertising cookies, pixels, or remarketing tags, and does not participate in targeted advertising auctions based on your visit.
5. TCPA & communications
When you submit a callback request, your TCPA consent text, IP address, user-agent, and a timestamp are stored in an immutable log for at least 5 years to satisfy TCPA recordkeeping requirements. See the TCPA Consent disclosure for full details on what consent covers, how to opt out, and quiet-hours protections.
6. Your rights
6.1 California (CCPA / CPRA)
California residents have the right to:
- Know what personal information AlertPlumber has collected about you.
- Delete personal information AlertPlumber has collected (subject to legal retention exceptions, like the TCPA log).
- Correct inaccurate personal information.
- Opt out of sale or sharing. AlertPlumber does not sell your personal information. See the Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information page.
- Non-discrimination. You will not receive degraded service for exercising these rights.
To exercise these rights, email [email protected]. AlertPlumber responds within 45 days.
6.2 EU / UK (GDPR / UK GDPR)
If you are in the EU, EEA, UK, or Switzerland, your lawful basis for processing under GDPR Article 6 is:
- Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) for analytics cookies and TCPA-style outreach.
- Performance of a contract (Art. 6(1)(b)) when you submit a callback request — data is shared with the matched plumber to fulfill your request.
- Legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f)) for security, anti-spam, and basic site analytics.
You have rights to access, rectify, erase, restrict, port, and object to processing under GDPR Articles 15–22. To exercise these, email [email protected]. You may also lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. AlertPlumber does not currently have an EU representative; international transfers occur to US-based service providers under Standard Contractual Clauses where applicable.
6.3 Other US states
Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws (Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Texas, Oregon, and others) have analogous rights. Submit requests to [email protected].
7. Data retention
- Callback requests: stored for 5 years to comply with TCPA recordkeeping.
- Server / security logs: 30 days.
- Email correspondence: retained while needed to address your inquiry, then archived per ordinary business practices.
- Analytics data (GA4): 14 months, per the GA4 default retention setting.
8. Security
AlertPlumber uses HTTPS site-wide (HSTS enforced), DKIM/SPF/DMARC for outgoing email, hCaptcha to deter bots, IP-rate limiting on form submissions, and stores callback request data in a non-public location on the server (outside the web root). No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; AlertPlumber makes no guarantee of absolute security.
9. Children
The Service is not directed to children under 16. AlertPlumber does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe a child has provided information, contact [email protected].
10. Changes
AlertPlumber may update this policy. Material changes will be reflected by updating the “Last updated” date above and, where appropriate, by a banner notice on the homepage.
11. Contact
Privacy inquiries: [email protected]
Legal notices: [email protected]
Editorial corrections: [email protected]
This Privacy Policy is offered for the purpose of legal transparency and operator review. It does not constitute legal advice. Operators should have qualified counsel review and customize this language for their jurisdiction and use case before going live.