Privacy Policy

CheckMyCars ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

When you use our services, we may collect:

• Email Address: To deliver vehicle reports and receipts
• Payment Information: Processed securely via Stripe (we do not store credit card details)
• Contact Information: Name and email when you contact us

1.2 Vehicle Information

• Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) you search
• PPSR reports generated for specific vehicles

1.3 Automatically Collected Information

• Usage Data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, time spent
• Cookies: We use cookies to improve user experience
• Analytics: We use analytics services to understand how our site is used

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: To provide PPSR reports and vehicle history information
• Communication: To send you reports, receipts, and respond to inquiries
• Payment Processing: To process transactions securely via Stripe
• Service Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve our services
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations
• Fraud Prevention: To detect and prevent fraudulent activities

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information with:

3.1 Service Providers

• Payment Processing: Third-party payment processor for secure transactions
• Email Delivery: Third-party email service to deliver reports and receipts
• PPSR Data: Australian Government PPSR database (to retrieve vehicle data)
• Cloud Hosting: Secure cloud infrastructure for website operations

3.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or to:

• Comply with legal processes
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Investigate fraud or security issues
• Respond to government requests

4. Data Security

We implement security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: All data transmitted via HTTPS/TLS encryption
• Secure Payment: Payment data handled by PCI-DSS compliant Stripe
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal information
• Regular Monitoring: Security monitoring and updates

Note: No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services (PPSR reports available via download link)
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
• Prevent fraud and abuse

Transaction records and PPSR reports are retained for 7 years in compliance with Australian record-keeping requirements.

6. Your Rights

Under Australian privacy law, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails (if applicable)
• Complaint: Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

To exercise these rights, please contact us via our contact form.

7. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences
• Analyze site traffic and usage patterns
• Improve user experience

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect site functionality.

8. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Australian Privacy Principles

CheckMyCars complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). We are committed to:

• Open and transparent handling of personal information
• Anonymity and pseudonymity options where practical
• Collecting information only when necessary
• Using information only for disclosed purposes
• Protecting information with reasonable security
• Providing access and correction rights