This Privacy Policy explains how FraudWatchDesk (“we,” “us”) collects, uses and protects information when you visit fraudwatchdesk.com or contact us.
1. Information we collect
Information you send us. When you email us a tip, correction, complaint or right-of-reply request, we receive your email address, name (if given), your message and any attachments.
Information collected automatically. Our hosting provider records standard technical data when you visit: IP address, browser and device type, pages visited, referring page, and the date and time of the request. We may use privacy-respecting analytics to understand which pages are read.
Cookies. The site does not need cookies to work. If we add analytics or other tools that use cookies, we will update this policy and ask for consent where the law requires it.
2. How we use information
- To operate, secure and improve the site;
- To review, verify and report on information you provide;
- To respond to corrections, complaints and right-of-reply requests;
- To meet legal obligations and to establish or defend legal claims.
We do not sell personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.
3. Confidential sources
We treat the identity of people who send us tips as confidential and will not publish it without permission unless a court orders disclosure or the law otherwise requires it. Please remove passwords, full account numbers and government ID numbers from documents before sending them.
4. Legal basis (EEA/UK visitors)
Where the GDPR or UK GDPR applies, we rely on our legitimate interests (running the site and public-interest journalism), your consent where given, and compliance with legal obligations. Processing for journalistic purposes may be subject to exemptions under applicable law.
5. Sharing
We share information only with service providers that help us run the site (such as hosting and email) under confidentiality obligations; with authorities where legally required; or with your consent.
6. Retention
Server logs are kept for a limited time for security and then deleted or anonymized. Tips and correspondence are kept as long as needed for our reporting, to keep an accurate record, and to deal with legal claims.
7. Your rights
Depending on where you live (including under the GDPR, UK GDPR and U.S. state laws such as the CCPA/CPRA), you may have rights to access, correct or delete your personal information, to object to or restrict processing, and to data portability. Email privacy@fraudwatchdesk.com. We may need to verify your identity. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights. Some rights may be limited for information processed for journalism or needed for legal claims.
8. Security
The site is served over HTTPS and access to correspondence is limited to editorial staff. No system is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Children
The site is not directed at children under 16 and we do not knowingly collect their personal information.
10. External links
We link to the SEC, courts, media and other third-party sites. Their privacy practices are their own.
11. Changes
We may update this policy. The date at the top shows the latest version.