Privacy Policy

This Privacy Notice applies to this website, OnGuardLending.com. In addition, we may from time to time add new sites that may or may not be listed in this Privacy Notice. Please note that this Notice applies only to the information collected through this website and not to websites maintained by other companies or organizations to which we link. In addition, this Notice applies only to information collected online, not offline, and how they are being used, secured, and shared by OnGuardLending.com. It also describes the choices available to you regarding our use of your personal information and how you can access and update this information.

We want you to be familiar with how we collect, use and disclose information from and about you. This Privacy Policy describes our practices in connection with information collected through services such as websites, mobile sites, applications (“apps”), and widgets (collectively, the “Company Services”). California residents, please see the California Consumer Privacy Act Notice in Section 8 below. By using Company Services, you agree to the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy incorporates OnGuard Lending’s Terms of Use, including all defined terms therein, by reference. All capitalized terms in this Privacy Policy, unless otherwise stated, have the same definition as those terms in the Terms of Use.

As set forth in our Terms of Use, you must be at least 18 years old to use this website. We do not knowingly collect, use or disclose personal information about visitors under 18 years of age. Please see our Terms of Use for more information.

This Privacy Policy applies to all Users, including both those who use the Company Services without creating an account and registering for a Company Service and those who have registered with a Company Service. This Privacy Policy applies to Company’s collection and use of your personal information (i.e., information that identifies a specific person, such as full name or email address). It also describes generally Company’s practices for handling non-personal information (for example, interests, demographics, and services usage). When you use Company Services, you consent to our collection, use, disclosure, and protection of information about you as described in this Privacy Policy.

BY ACCESSING OR USING COMPANY SERVICES, YOU AGREE TO THIS POLICY. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THIS POLICY, PLEASE DO NOT USE THE SERVICE

OnGuard Lending and its service providers may collect and store various information about you including, for example, information that you provide to us, information that we automatically collect through your use of the Service, and information from publicly available sources or third parties, as further detailed below.

A. Information you provide us directly

The information we collect from you will vary depending on the product or service requested. We may ask for certain information such as your username, first and last name, birth date, telephone number, email address, educational background, outstanding loan balances, social security number, income, employment history and other details related to your financial situation when you use our Service and/or register for a OnGuard Lending account. We may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when using the Service. All of the information that we collect from you directly is identified in the forms, other places where you respond to questions, or where you indicate preferences throughout the Service, either online or communicated through our customer service representatives.

We may also collect and store information that you provide to us about other people. By submitting information about someone other than yourself, you represent that you are authorized to provide us with that person’s information for the purposes identified in this Privacy Policy and/or in connection with the Service.

We may also retain any messages you send through the Service, customer service correspondence (via telephone, chat, text, email or otherwise), and may collect information you provide in User Content you post to the Service. Calls to OnGuard Lending or to third-parties through OnGuard Lending by you or to you may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance, customer service, training and/or risk management purposes.

If you affirmatively elect to participate in our user experience surveys and agree to recording, we or our third party service providers may record audiovisual content containing your voice and likeness and use these recordings in connection with providing and improving the Service.

B. Information That Is Collected Automatically

In addition to the information you provide to us directly, we may automatically collect information about your use of the Service, as described below.

• Log file information: Log file information is automatically reported by your browser each time you access the Service. When you use our Service, our servers may automatically record certain log file information. These server logs may include information such as your web request, Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, browser type, browser language, operating system, platform type, the state or country from which you accessed the Service, software and hardware attributes (including Device ID), referring / exit pages and URLs, number of clicks and how you interact with links on the Service, domain names, landing pages, pages viewed and the order of those pages, the data and time you used the Service and uploaded or posted content, error logs, files you download, and other such information.
• Location information: When you use the Service, we may automatically collect general location information (e.g., IP address, city/state and or zip code associated with an IP address) from your computer or mobile device. Please note that if you disable such features, you may not be able to access or receive some or all of the services, content, features and/or products made available via the Service.
• Cookies and other technologies: We and our third-party service providers may use cookies, clear GIFs, pixel tags, beacons, and other technologies that help us better understand user behavior, personalize preferences, perform research and analytics, deliver tailored advertising, and improve the products and services we provide. You can choose to accept or decline certain cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but your browser may allow you to modify your browser settings to decline certain cookies if you prefer. If you disable cookies, you may be prevented from accessing or taking full advantage of the Services.
  1. Cookies. When you visit the Service, we may send one or more cookies — a small text file containing a string of alphanumeric characters — to your computer that uniquely identifies your browser or stores information or settings on your device. Cookies let us help you log in faster and enhance your navigation through the site. A cookie may also convey information to us about how you use the Service (e.g., the pages you view, the links you click and other actions you take on the Service), and allow us or our business partners to track your usage of the Service over time. A persistent cookie remains on your hard drive after you close your browser. Persistent cookies may be used by your browser on subsequent visits to the site. Persistent cookies can be removed by following your web browser’s directions. A session cookie is temporary and disappears after you close your browser. Our Service may use HTTP cookies, HTML5 cookies and other types of local storage (such as browser-based or plugin-based local storage).
  2. Clear gifs/web beacons. When you use the Service, we may employ clear gifs (also known as web beacons) which are used to anonymously track the online usage patterns of our Users. In addition, we may also use clear gifs in HTML-based emails sent to our users to track which emails are opened, which links are clicked by recipients, and whether our emails are forwarded. The information allows for more accurate reporting and improvement of the Service.
  3. Web analytics. We may use third-party Web analytics services on our Service, such as those of Google Analytics. These service providers use the technology described above to help us analyze how users use the Service. The information collected by the technology (including your IP address) will be disclosed to or collected directly by these service providers. To prevent Google Analytics from using information for analytics, a user may install the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on by clicking here.

We may use this information in a number of ways, including: (a) to remember information so that you will not have to re-enter it during your visit or the next time you visit the site; (b) to provide custom, personalized content and information; (c) to provide our Service and monitor its effectiveness, including on or through our affiliates and/or other third party service providers; (d) to monitor aggregate metrics such as total number of visitors, traffic, and demographic patterns; (e) to diagnose or fix technology problems; (f) to help you efficiently access your information after you sign in and; (g) to deliver advertising to you.

C. Information from Third-Party Sources

We may receive information about you from publicly and commercially available sources, as permitted by law, which we may combine with other information we receive from or about you. For example, when you request prequalified rates, we will ask your permission to conduct a soft credit inquiry. Likewise, when you apply for a loan product, either us or a Provider may conduct a hard credit inquiry. When you apply for a mortgage, we will conduct a search of public records to determine the estimated value of your home and your estimated taxes in order to automate the loan application process and make things more convenient and streamlined for you.

Some Internet browsers may be configured to send “Do Not Track” signals to the online services that you visit. We currently do not respond to “Do Not Track” or similar signals. To find out more about “Do Not Track,” please visit http://www.allaboutdnt.com.

We may use your information and/or combine any or all elements of your information for a number of purposes, including:

• To provide you with and manage the Service. We use your information to provide, develop, maintain and improve our Service and the features and functionality of the Service. This may include customization and tailoring the Service features according to the information that you provide.
• To process and fulfill a request or other transaction submitted to us We use your information to process or fulfill requests or transactions that you have requested.
• To communicate with you. We use the information we collect or receive to communicate directly with you. We may send you emails containing newsletters, promotions and special offers. If you do not want to receive such email messages, you will be given the option to opt out or change your preferences. We also use your information to send you Service-related emails (e.g., account verification, changes/updates to features of the Service, technical and security notices). You may not opt out of Service-related emails.
• Unique Identifiers. Sometimes, we (or our service providers) may use the information we collect – for instance, log-in credentials, IP addresses and unique mobile device identifiers – to locate or try to locate the same unique users across multiple browsers or devices (such as smartphones, tablets, or computer), or work with providers that do this, in order to better tailor advertising, content, and features, and provide you with a seamless experience across devices. If you wish to opt out of cross device tracking for purposes of interest-based advertising, you may do so through your Android or Apple device-based settings.
• Research and Analytics. We may use your information for research and analytical purposes, for example, to identify trends and effectiveness of certain marketing campaigns we run.
• Business Operations. We may use your information for certain operational purposes including, for example, perform audits and quality control.
• To protect the rights of OnGuard Lending and others. We may use your information as we believe is necessary or appropriate to protect, enforce, or defend the legal rights, privacy, safety, security, or property of OnGuard Lending, its employees or agents, or other users and to comply with applicable law. For example, we may disclose your personal information to third parties: (i) where we have a good faith belief that such disclosure is necessary to meet any applicable law, regulation, legal process or other legal obligation; (ii) to protect or prevent harm or financial loss; (iii) to protect our legitimate interests and legal rights; and (iv) to detect, investigate and help prevent security, fraud or technical issues (collectively, “Special Circumstances”).
• With your consent. We may otherwise use your information with your consent or at your direction.
• To aggregate/de-identify data. We may aggregate and/or de-identify information collected through the Service. We may use de-identified and/or aggregated data for any purpose and without any restrictions, including without limitation for research and marketing purposes, and may also share such data with any third parties, including advertisers, promotional partners, sponsors, event promoters, and/or others.

We may share the information we collect or receive from you in a variety of circumstances, including as listed below. Where appropriate, we will limit sharing of your information in accordance with the choices you have provided us in response to our U.S. Consumer Privacy Notice.

• Providers and co-signers. We may share your information with Providers for the purpose of providing the Service to you such that they may provide you with information about your request for prequalified rates, offers, and information related to other products and services they offer.
  • You agree that when you submit information to a Provider or third-party through the Service, such submission of your information may also be governed by Provider or third-party privacy and security policies which differ from our Privacy Policy. For details of these policies, please consult the policies of the Providers or third-parties directly.
  • You understand that, subject to any applicable laws or regulations, Providers may keep your information that relates to any submission of information that you may make through your use of the Service and any other information provided by OnGuard Lending in the processing of any submission of information, whether or not you are eligible for the Provider’s products or services. You agree to notify any particular Provider directly if you no longer want to them to keep your information.
  • As a prospective borrower or applicant of a Provider’s products or services, you agree that when you nominate a co-signer/co-applicant, OnGuard Lending may share Provider responses, information you provide, and information we receive from Service Providers relating to your submission with your nominated co-signer/co-applicant, and, as a co-signer/co-applicant, we may share Provider responses, information you provide, and information we receive from Service Providers relating to your submission with the prospective borrower or applicant.
• Affiliates. We may share information with our parent company and any of our or our parent company’s parents, affiliates, or subsidiaries.
• Service Providers. We may share your personal information with third parties who work on behalf of, or with, us such as vendors, processors, agents and other representatives. Service providers assist us with a variety of functions. This includes, for example, assisting with customer service-related functions, providing advertising (including interest-based advertising) and analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics and Facebook Custom Audiences), helping us verify your identity, obtain your credit report, providing website hosting services (e.g., Amazon Web Services), assisting with auditing functions, and helping us with marketing and related research activities.
• Marketing partners. We may share your personal information with third-party marketing partners including partners who we conduct joint-marketing activities with or who we offer a co-branded service with. Marketing partners also include those entities who maintain a link to our Services on their site, or a OnGuard Lending widget on their site, when you interact with that widget or click from their site to our Services, and entities to whose services we link on our site, or maintain a partner widget or form on our site, when you interact with that widget or click from our site to the marketing partner’s services.
• Other parties when required by law or as necessary to protect our users and services. OnGuard Lending may share your information where required to do so by law or subpoena or if we reasonably believe that such action is necessary to (a) comply with the law and the reasonable requests of law enforcement; (b) enforce our Terms of Use or to protect the security or integrity of our Service; and/or (c) exercise or protect the rights, property, or personal safety of OnGuard Lending, our Users or others.
• Business transfers. We may buy or sell/divest/transfer OnGuard Lending (including any shares in OnGuard Lending), or any combination of its products, services, assets and/or businesses. Your information, which may include NPI, user names and email addresses, User Content and other user information related to the Service may be among the items sold or otherwise transferred in these types of transactions. We may also sell, assign or otherwise transfer such information in the course of corporate divestitures, mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies, dissolutions, reorganizations, liquidations, similar transactions or proceedings involving all or a portion of OnGuard Lending.
• Public Forums. Any information or content that you voluntarily disclose for posting to the Service or any third party website, such as User Content, becomes available to the public, as controlled by any applicable privacy settings. Subject to your profile and privacy settings, any User Content that you make public is searchable by other Users. If we or any third party site remove information that you posted to the Service, copies may remain viewable in cached and archived pages of the Service, or if other Users have copied or saved that information. We are not responsible for the information that you choose to submit in your User Content.
• Aggregated or de-identified information. We may also aggregate or de-identify data and may share that data without restriction.
• Otherwise with your consent or at your direction. In addition to the sharing described in this Privacy Policy, we may share information about you with third-parties whenever you consent to or direct such sharing. OnGuard Lending will not purchase consent, or sell, rent, or share consent OnGuard Lending receives from OnGuard Lending users to opt-in to receiving calls, text, or SMS from OnGuard Lending. If a user specifically consents to a Provider or Marketing Partner sending them calls, texts, or SMS messages, OnGuard Lending may transfer that consent to that Provider or Marketing Partner.

OnGuard Lending takes technical and organizational measures to protect your data against accidental or unlawful destruction or accidental loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure or access. These measures vary depending on the sensitivity of the information we have collected from you. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or via mobile device, or method of electronic storage, is absolutely secure. Therefore, while we strive to use generally acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security. OnGuard Lending is not responsible for the functionality or security measures of any third-party or Provider.

To protect your privacy and security, we take steps (such as requesting a unique password) to verify your identity before granting you access to your account. You are responsible for maintaining the secrecy of your unique password and account information, and for controlling access to your email communications from OnGuard Lending, at all times. Do not share your password with anyone and do limit your access to your computer or other devices by signing off after you have finished accessing your account.

For information about how to protect yourself against identity theft, please refer to the Federal Trade Commission’s website at www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/identity-theft-and-data-security.

A. Your Account Information and Settings

If you choose to set up a profile, you may update your account information at any time by logging into your account and changing your profile settings. You can also contact us at support@OnGuard Lending.com to change your preferences.

B. Email Promotions

You can stop receiving promotional email communications from us by clicking on the “unsubscribe link” provided in such communications. We make every effort to promptly process all unsubscribe requests. You may not opt out of Service-related communications (e.g., account verification, transaction-related updates, changes/updates to features of the Service, and technical and security notices). If you have any questions about reviewing or modifying your account information, you can contact us directly at support@OnGuardLending.com.

C. Opt-Out and Removing Your Information

If you have a financial product or service with us, we will use and share any information that we collect from or about you in accordance with our U.S. Consumer Privacy Notice, which offers you certain choices with respect to the use and sharing of your personal information, including the right to opt-out to the sharing of certain information.

We will retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. If you wish to request that we no longer use your information to provide you services or updates on additional products, you can submit your request here. Additionally, we will retain and use your information as necessary to comply with our legal or regulatory obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

Following termination, deactivation, or dormancy of your User account, OnGuard Lending may retain your profile information and User Content for an additional period of time for backup, archival, audit, or other purposes. As a financial services provider, OnGuard Lending has federal and state obligations to store various information in connection with providing financial services to you. In order to comply with those requirements, we may be unable to delete your information from our database until the legally required retention period expires.

On Guard Lending does not knowingly collect or solicit any information from anyone under the age of 18 or allow such persons to register as Users. In the event that we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under the age of 16, we will promptly delete that information. If you believe that we might have collected any information from a child under 16, please contact us at support@OnGuardLending.com.

We are not responsible for the practices employed by websites or services linked to or from the Service or to which you direct OnGuard Lending to retrieve information, including the information or content contained therein. Please remember that when you use a link to go from the Service to another website, our Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites or services. Your browsing and interaction on any third-party website or service, including those that have a link or advertisement on our website, are subject to that third-party’s own rules and policies. In addition, you agree that we are not responsible for, and we do not have control over, any third-parties that you authorize to access your User Content. If you are using a third-party website or service and you allow such a third-party access to your User Content, you do so at your own risk. OnGuard Lending is also not responsible for sites directing you to OnGuard Lending. Our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy do not apply to those third-party sites either.

To make a complaint about a privacy-related matter, or to request access to or correction of your personal information, or if you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or the Service, please contact us at support@OnGuardLending.com or by phone at 888-325-0580. We will review all complaints and determine whether the matter needs further investigation. In the event an investigation is conducted concerning your personal information, we will notify you of the outcome of the investigation.

OnGuard Lending may modify or update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our business and practices, and so you should review this page periodically (www.OnGuard Lending.com/privacy). If we make changes to this Privacy Policy, we will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy. If we make a material change to this Privacy Policy, we will notify you as required by law. Your continued use of the Service following any changes signifies your acceptance of our Privacy Policy as modified.

PLEASE PRINT AND RETAIN A COPY OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY FOR YOUR RECORDS.