Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

MerchantLocating helps small and mid-sized businesses understand, evaluate, and arrange payment processing and merchant services. This website is operated by BusinessLocating and its affiliated brands. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through this website and related inquiry channels, how we use and protect it, and the choices available to you.

This policy applies to information collected through this website, the inquiry and payment-fit forms on it, and communications that result from them. It does not apply to third-party services, such as payment providers or scheduling tools, which maintain their own privacy policies.

2. Information we collect

Information you provide. When you complete our inquiry form, payment-fit assessment, or contact channels, we collect the details you submit, which may include: your first and last name; email address; phone number; business name and website; industry; approximate monthly card or sales volume; the sales channels you use (in person, online, mobile, recurring, or phone/mail order); your current provider, if any; your primary goal; your timeline; and any message or notes you choose to include. We also record your consent to be contacted.

Information collected automatically. Like most websites, we collect technical information when you visit, including your IP address, browser type and version, device type, referring page, pages viewed, and the date and time of your visit. This information helps us operate, secure, and improve the website.

Information from third parties. With your authorization, we may receive information from partner providers or service providers involved in responding to your inquiry — for example, confirmation that you were contacted or that you opened an account — so we can follow up appropriately.

We do not knowingly collect payment card numbers, bank account credentials, or other sensitive financial credentials through this website, and we ask that you never submit them through our forms.

3. How we use your information

We use the information we collect to: respond to your inquiry and provide the payment guidance, assessment, or referral you requested; contact you by email, phone, or text about your inquiry and, with your consent, about payment solutions that may fit your business; evaluate which solutions and providers may be appropriate based on your business profile; operate, secure, troubleshoot, and improve the website and our Services; comply with legal obligations, industry rules, and our internal policies; and prevent fraud, misuse, and unauthorized access.

If you are an existing inquiry contact, we may send occasional educational content or service updates. Every marketing email includes an unsubscribe link, and you can opt out at any time without affecting our ability to service an active inquiry.

4. Legal bases for processing

Where applicable law requires a legal basis for processing, we rely on: your consent (for marketing communications and, in some cases, for sharing your details with partner providers); performance of a contract or pre-contractual steps at your request (to respond to your inquiry and provide the Services); legitimate interests (to operate, secure, and improve our Services and to respond to business inquiries we receive); and legal obligations (to retain records and comply with applicable law).

Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time using the contact details below, without affecting the lawfulness of processing already carried out.

5. How we share information

We share information only as described in this policy: with service providers that help us operate the website, store data, send communications, or schedule meetings (such as our hosting, database, and scheduling providers), under contracts that restrict their use of your information; with partner payment providers, acquiring banks, or referral partners, where needed to respond to your inquiry or to arrange services you have asked us to explore; with affiliated brands within BusinessLocating for the same purposes described in this policy; and when required by law, legal process, or to protect our rights, safety, or property, or in connection with a corporate transaction such as a merger or acquisition.

We do not sell your personal information. We do not share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. Where a state privacy law gives you the right to opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information as those terms are legally defined, our practices are designed so that no such opt-out is required; if our practices change, we will update this policy and provide any required notice and choice.

6. Cookies and analytics

We may use cookies, similar technologies, and analytics tools to keep the website functioning, remember preferences, measure traffic patterns, and understand which content is helpful. You can control cookies through your browser settings; blocking cookies may affect some website features. Analytics data is used in aggregate and is not used to identify you personally.

7. Data retention

We retain inquiry information for as long as needed to respond to your request, provide the Services, maintain an accurate business record, and comply with legal, accounting, and regulatory requirements. Inquiry records are generally retained for up to 24 months from your last interaction, unless a longer period is required by law or needed to resolve a dispute. Website analytics data is retained according to the retention settings of the analytics provider. When information is no longer needed, it is securely deleted or de-identified.

8. Data security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS/TLS), access controls that limit personal data to personnel and providers who need it to do their jobs, and a database configured so that inquiry submissions can only be written to — not read back — by the public website. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your privacy choices and rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal information, which may include the right to: know what personal information we hold about you; access and receive a copy of it; correct inaccurate information; delete personal information we hold about you; object to or restrict certain processing; withdraw consent; and not be discriminated against for exercising your rights.

Residents of certain U.S. states (including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, and Utah, among others) may have additional statutory rights. Residents of the EEA or UK may have rights under the GDPR, including the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

To exercise any right, contact us through the inquiry form on our Contact page with the subject line "Privacy request," or use the unsubscribe link in our emails. We will verify your request and respond within the time required by applicable law. You may designate an authorized agent to act on your behalf where permitted by law.

10. Children's privacy

The Services are intended for business owners and authorized representatives aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

11. International data transfers

Our website and data infrastructure may be operated in the United States. If you access the Services from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States or other countries whose data protection laws may differ from yours. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards for such transfers.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as our Services, providers, or legal requirements change. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be highlighted on this page, and where required by law we will provide additional notice or obtain consent.

13. Contact us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, contact us through the inquiry form on our Contact page with the subject line "Privacy question." Please do not include sensitive financial information in any message.