Privacy Policy

Last Updated: September 30, 2025

United States Gas and Electric Company (“USGEC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, retain, and safeguard personal data — including through SMS / text messaging via Zoom’s 10DLC platform — when you use our website (usgec.co), interact with our services, or opt in to receive SMS communications from us.

1. Information We Collect

a. Personal & Contact Information

We may collect name, email address, phone number, company name, and other information you provide when you fill out forms, contact us, register for services, or opt in to SMS communications.

b. Consent & SMS Metadata

If you opt into text messaging, we collect and store consent metadata including:

• Timestamp of when consent was given;
• Method or channel of consent (web form, verbal, contract, etc.);
• The campaign or messaging purposes you consented to;
• IP address or device identifier (if applicable);
• Records of confirmation messages or responses (if applicable).

c. Message Logs & Analytics

We retain records of SMS / MMS messages we send (date/time, template variant, sender number, recipient number, delivery status) and any replies you send (e.g., “STOP”, “START”, or uploaded documents). We may also collect link-click analytics when short URLs are used.

d. Documents & Uploaded Files

If you provide commercial energy bills (PDFs, images, etc.) via SMS or upload, we collect those files and related metadata (file name, upload timestamp). Any additional data contained in those documents (account numbers, usage details) will be collected as part of the file.

e. Technical & Tracking Data

We may collect IP addresses, browser type, device identifiers, cookies, usage logs, and site analytics for purposes of improving the site and services.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for:

• Delivering SMS / MMS communications consistent with your consent (appointment reminders, bill/document requests, confirmations);
• Service provision & customer support (scheduling, inquiries, fulfillment);
• Maintaining compliance with Zoom / 10DLC / carrier rules and recordkeeping;
• Security, fraud detection, and abuse prevention;
• Analytics and improvement of messaging flows and website experience;
• Legal obligations, audits, and dispute resolution.

We will not use your phone number or SMS consent data for purposes beyond those you explicitly agreed to without additional consent.

3. Sharing & Disclosure of Information

We do not sell, rent, or lease your personal information or SMS consent data to third parties for marketing. We may share data in limited circumstances:

• Service providers: vendors who help deliver services (e.g. SMS gateways, hosting providers, analytics) under contractual obligations to protect confidentiality;
• Legal & regulatory: to comply with law, court orders, or lawful government requests;
• Compliance / Carriers / Zoom: when Zoom, carriers, or regulators request logs or proof of consent as required;
• Business transfers: as part of a merger, acquisition, or sale (with confidentiality protections).

4. Opt-Out / Unsubscribe Procedures

You may revoke consent and stop receiving SMS messages at any time by replying to any message with one of the following keywords (case-insensitive):

STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, or QUIT.

Upon receipt, we will promptly cease sending further SMS/MMS under the campaign and may send a one-time confirmation (for example: “You have unsubscribed. Reply START to re-subscribe.”). You may also contact us directly to request removal from SMS communications.

5. Data Retention & Deletion

We retain SMS/consent records, message logs, and associated metadata for a minimum of four (4) years, or longer if required by law or carrier/Zoom policies. After the retention period, we will securely delete or anonymize data so it cannot be associated with you. Uploaded documents (e.g., energy bills) will be retained only as required for business, audit, or regulatory purposes and then reviewed for secure deletion or archiving per our retention policy.

6. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including:

• Encryption in transit (TLS);
• Role-based access controls and least privilege;
• Regular security reviews, monitoring, and audits;
• Secure deletion and anonymization of data when no longer required.

Although we follow industry best practices, no security system is 100% guaranteed. We endeavor to protect your information to the fullest extent possible.

7. Sender Identity & Message Disclosures

All SMS/MMS messages from us will clearly identify USGEC as the sender and include an opt-out instruction (for example: “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”). Where required, messages or opt-in disclosures will include language such as “Msg & data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary.” Hyperlinks included in our messages will link to reputable domains to reduce the risk of carrier filtering.

8. SMS / Consent Opt-In Disclosures

If you provide your phone number via a web form, the opt-in field should include the following disclosure (or similar):

By providing your mobile number, you consent to receive text messages from USGEC (appointment reminders, document requests, etc.). Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. See our Privacy Policy.

If consent is collected verbally or via contract, we will maintain documented records of the consent with required disclosures (brand, message/data rates, opt-out instruction).

9. Website & General Privacy

We also process data in accordance with our general website privacy practices, including cookie usage, analytics, and support. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete your personal data. Please contact us to exercise those rights.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will post the revised policy on this page with a new “Last Updated” date. Significant changes may also be communicated by email or SMS where appropriate. Continued use of our services after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Limitation of Liability

SMS/MMS delivery depends on third-party carriers and systems; we are not liable for delivery failures, delays, or filtering outside our control.

12. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our handling of your data, contact us:

Note: This policy contains sample language intended to meet Zoom / 10DLC recordkeeping and disclosure expectations. For legally binding advice or to satisfy industry-specific regulatory requirements, consider having the policy reviewed by legal counsel prior to publication.