Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 10-21-2025

Introduction

Melinda Schmitz Bookkeeping ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website [insert website URL] and use our services.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide to Us

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

Fill out a contact form or request a consultation
Subscribe to our newsletter or email updates
Communicate with us via email, phone, or other means
Engage our bookkeeping services

The personal information we collect may include:

Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
Business Information: Company name, business type, industry, revenue information
Financial Information: Bank account details, tax identification numbers, payroll information, financial statements (collected only when providing services)
Communication Records: Correspondence, notes from consultations, service requests

Information Automatically Collected

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device, including:

Log Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, time and date of visit
Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We may use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience (see "Cookies and Tracking Technologies" section below)

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Provide Services: Deliver bookkeeping, payroll, consultation, and financial services you request
Communicate: Respond to inquiries, send confirmations, provide customer support, and send important updates about your account or services
Improve Services: Analyze usage patterns to improve our website functionality and service offerings
Marketing: Send newsletters, promotional materials, and information about our services (you may opt-out at any time)
Compliance: Maintain records for tax, legal, and regulatory compliance purposes
Security: Protect against fraud, unauthorized access, and other security threats

How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in:

Website hosting and maintenance
Email communication services
Accounting software platforms (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero)
Payment processing
Cloud storage services
Tax preparation and filing services

These service providers are contractually obligated to keep your information confidential and use it only for the purposes we specify.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to:

Valid legal processes (subpoena, court order, government request)
Protection of our rights, property, or safety, or that of our clients or the public
Investigation of fraud, security issues, or technical problems
Enforcement of our Terms of Service

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the successor entity.

With Your Consent

We may share your information for any other purpose with your explicit consent.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction, including:

Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
Secure file transfer protocols
Password protection and access controls
Regular security assessments
Employee training on data privacy and security

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

Provide our services to you
Comply with legal and regulatory requirements (typically 7 years for financial records)
Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
Pursue legitimate business purposes

When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Correction

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and request corrections if it is inaccurate or incomplete.

Deletion

You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal and contractual obligations that require us to retain records.

Opt-Out of Marketing

You may opt out of receiving marketing communications from us at any time by:

Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in our emails
Contacting us directly at [insert email]

Please note that even if you opt out of marketing communications, we may still send you service-related communications.

Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature. Our website does not currently respond to DNT signals.

California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including:

Right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
Right to request deletion of your personal information
Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

Other State Privacy Rights

Residents of certain other states (including Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah) may have similar privacy rights. Please contact us to exercise these rights.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [insert contact information].

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Remember your preferences and settings
Understand how you interact with our website
Improve website performance and user experience
Analyze website traffic and trends

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site (e.g., Google Analytics)
Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and choices
Marketing Cookies: Track your browsing habits to deliver relevant advertising (if applicable)

Managing Cookies

Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

Block all cookies
Accept only certain cookies
Delete cookies after you've visited a site

Please note that blocking or deleting cookies may impact your experience on our website.

Third-Party Links

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

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child, please contact us immediately so we can delete it.

International Data Transfers

Our website and services are based in the United States. If you are accessing our services from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

Posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date
Sending an email notification to the address associated with your account (if applicable)

Your continued use of our website and services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Melinda Schmitz Bookkeeping
Email: info@melindaschmitzbookkeeping.com
Phone: 405-343-5595
Address:

9015 Melissa Ct

Guthrie, OK 73044

We will respond to your inquiry within a reasonable timeframe.

Consent

By using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.

Note: This privacy policy is a general template and may need to be customized based on your specific business practices, the technologies you use, and applicable laws in your jurisdiction. We recommend having this policy reviewed by a legal professional to ensure full compliance with all relevant regulations.