Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in several ways depending on how you interact with us:

Information You Provide Directly:

• Name, phone number, email address, and mailing address
• Details submitted through our website contact form
• Information provided during service intake and consultations
• Government-issued identification (when required for notary or signing agent services)
• Payment information (processed securely; we do not store credit card numbers)
• Signatures and documents presented for notarization
• Mobile phone number provided for SMS communications

Information Collected During Service Delivery:

• Case-related information necessary to perform contracted services
• Location data related to service of process (GPS-stamped proof of service)
• Body camera and audio recordings from field operations (see Section 5)
• Photographic and video evidence gathered during investigations
• Information obtained through licensed investigative databases (TLOxp, Tracers, public records)

Information Collected Automatically via Website:

• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Browser type, device type, and operating system
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and referral sources
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 7)

2. How We Use Your Information

Purpose	Types of Data Used
Provide services — Perform contracted notary, process serving, investigation, bail recovery, and bail bond services	Contact info, case details, identification, location data
Communicate with you — Respond to inquiries, provide status updates, send invoices, send SMS notifications	Name, email, phone number
Legal compliance — Fulfill legal obligations including court filings, sheriff notifications, notary journals, and bond documentation	Contact info, identification, case details, signatures
Liability protection — Document field operations for legal defensibility	Body camera footage, GPS data, audio recordings
Business operations — Accounting, insurance claims, internal record-keeping	Payment info, service records, contact info
Improve our services — Analyze website usage to improve user experience	Website analytics data (anonymized)

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. We will never use your information for any purpose other than those described in this policy. Your phone number and opt-in data collected through our SMS messaging program will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

3. Information Sharing & Disclosure

We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, subpoena, or government investigation
• Service performance: As necessary to complete contracted services — for example, filing affidavits of service with courts, providing sheriff notification for bail recovery operations, or submitting notarized documents to title companies
• Professional partners: With employing PI agencies, surety companies, or bondsmen as required by our licensing structure
• Service providers: With trusted third parties who assist our operations (payment processing, cloud storage, case management software, SMS delivery services) — all bound by confidentiality obligations
• Professional advisors: With our attorneys, accountants, or insurers for business, legal, or insurance purposes
• Safety: When we believe disclosure is necessary to prevent physical harm, fraud, or illegal activity
• With your consent: When you have given us explicit written authorization to share specific information

4. Investigative Information

In the course of private investigation, bail recovery, and skip tracing services, we may access professional databases containing personal information about subjects of investigation. This information is:

• Accessed only for legitimate, lawful investigative purposes authorized by a client engagement
• Used strictly in compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) as applicable
• Never accessed for personal use, curiosity, or any unauthorized purpose
• Stored securely and retained only as long as required for case documentation
• Accessible only to authorized Steelcrest personnel with a legitimate need

Misuse of investigative databases by any Steelcrest personnel is grounds for immediate termination and may result in criminal prosecution.

5. Body Camera & Recording Policy

Steelcrest personnel may record interactions during field operations using body-worn cameras and audio recording equipment. This recording is conducted under Georgia's one-party consent law (O.C.G.A. § 16-11-66).

• Recordings are made for documentation, evidence preservation, and liability protection
• Footage is stored securely on encrypted, access-controlled systems
• Recordings are retained for a minimum of one (1) year following case closure, or longer if required by litigation or legal hold
• Access to recordings is limited to authorized Steelcrest personnel, our attorneys, and parties with valid legal authority (court order, subpoena)
• Recordings are not published, shared on social media, or distributed for entertainment purposes

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information, including:

• Encrypted storage for digital files and case records
• Access controls limiting data access to authorized personnel only
• Secure, self-hosted infrastructure for case management and document storage
• Regular review of security practices and access logs
• Physical security measures for paper records and equipment

While we take reasonable precautions, no method of electronic storage or transmission is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

7. Cookies & Website Tracking

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and improve your browsing experience
• Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
• Ensure website functionality and security

We do not use cookies for advertising or third-party marketing purposes. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Disabling cookies may limit some website functionality.

8. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy:

Data Type	Retention Period
Website inquiry submissions	1 year from submission (or until engagement begins)
Client service records & case files	7 years following case closure
Notary journal entries	Permanently, as required by Georgia notary law
Loan signing documents	As required by employing signing service or lender
Affidavits of service	7 years following service completion
Body camera footage	Minimum 1 year; longer if subject to legal hold
Bail bond records	As required by Georgia Department of Insurance regulations
Financial / payment records	7 years (IRS requirements)
SMS messaging records	1 year from message date
Website analytics	26 months (anonymized)

9. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal obligations to retain certain records
• Opt-out: Opt out of non-essential communications at any time. For SMS messages, text STOP to any Steelcrest number

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information in Section 13 below. We will respond to verified requests within 30 days.

Note: Certain information cannot be deleted where retention is required by law (notary journals, court filings, bond records, tax documents) or where it is necessary for active legal proceedings or investigations.

10. Minors

Our services and website are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we become aware that we have collected information from a minor, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. Changes take effect upon posting to our website. We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. For material changes, we will make reasonable efforts to notify affected individuals.

13. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your personal information, contact us at:

14. Georgia-Specific Provisions

Steelcrest Investigations LLC operates under the laws of the State of Georgia. While Georgia does not currently have a comprehensive state privacy law equivalent to California's CCPA or the EU's GDPR, we voluntarily provide the rights and transparency described in this policy because we believe it is the right thing to do for our clients and community.

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may also file a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at law.georgia.gov.