Introduction
Baltimore HCS Home Cleaning Services (referred to as "Baltimore HCS," "we," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website (baltimorehcs.com) or use our cleaning services. It also describes your rights and choices regarding your information.
By using our website or services, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our handling of your information, please do not use our site or services. We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time – if we make significant changes, we will notify you by updating the effective date and, in some cases, by additional notice (such as a website banner or email notification). We encourage you to review this Policy periodically for any updates.
Data Collection (Information We Collect)
We collect personal information and other data from you in order to provide our services, process bookings, and improve user experience. The types of information we may collect include:
Information You Provide Directly: When you interact with Baltimore HCS, you may provide personal information voluntarily. This includes:
Booking or Quote Requests: When you book a cleaning service or request a quote, we will ask for details such as your name, email address, phone number, and the service address (the location where cleaning will occur). We also collect details about your requested service (e.g., type of cleaning, date and time requested, special instructions about your home).
Communication Information: If you contact us via phone, email, contact form, or social media, we will collect the information you provide in those communications. For example, if you email us an inquiry, we will collect your email address and the content of your message (and any other information you choose to provide, such as your name or details about your situation).
Future Account Data: As of now, you do not need an account on our site to book services. However, if in the future we offer user accounts, we would collect information during account registration such as a username, password, and any profile details or preferences you provide. We would also securely store authentication credentials for your account. (We will update our policies accordingly if/when account features are implemented.)
Payment Information: We use a third-party service (Jobber and its integrated payment processors) to handle payments. When you enter payment details to pay for a cleaning service, that information (such as your credit card number, expiration date, and billing address) is collected directly by Jobber’s secure payment system. Baltimore HCS itself does not receive or store your full credit card information. We may have access to limited payment data necessary for record-keeping, such as the last four digits of your card, card type, and payment status (paid, pending, etc.), but full card numbers and security codes are not visible to us. Please note that Jobber or its payment partners may have their own privacy policies governing the information you provide to them – we encourage you to review those as well. (See "Third-Party Services" below for more on Jobber.)
Automatically Collected Data (Usage and Device Information): When you visit our website, certain information is collected automatically about your device and browsing actions. This may include:
IP Address: A numeric address assigned to your device by your internet service provider, which can indicate your general geographic location.
Device and Browser Info: Details about the device and browser you use to access our site, such as the type of device (desktop, smartphone, etc.), operating system, browser type (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.), and browser version.
Usage Data: Information about how you navigate and interact with our site. For example, we may collect data on what pages you visit, the time and date of your visits, the amount of time spent on each page, the referring URL (which site or link you came from), and how you move through the site (clicks, scrolls, etc.). This information is collected using cookies and similar tracking technologies (described in the "Cookie Usage" section below) as well as our web server logs.
Cookies & Tracking IDs: Unique identifiers or cookie IDs that may be assigned to your browser when you visit our site. These help us recognize you on subsequent visits and provide certain features (like keeping track of items in a form or analytics of return visitors). More detail is provided later in this policy.
Third-Party Data: In some cases, we might receive information about you from third-party sources:
If you engage with our social media pages (for example, if you message us on Facebook or mention us in a post), we may collect your name and any other information you provide via that platform.
If you were referred to us by a partner or found us via an advertisement, we might receive basic referral information (e.g., which ad or partner site led you to us).
Jobber (our scheduling software) will transmit to us the details of any bookings you complete through their portal, so that we can fulfill the service. This includes the personal information you entered (as listed above) and appointment details. Essentially, the data you enter in the Jobber form becomes available to us to manage your booking.
We limit our collection to information that is relevant for the purposes of running our business and providing services to you. You have choices about certain information – for instance, you can choose not to provide optional details in a contact form. However, note that if you decline to provide necessary information (like your contact or address when booking a service), we may not be able to fulfill your request or provide the service.
How We Use Your Information
Baltimore HCS uses the collected information for a variety of purposes related to our home cleaning services. The main uses of your information are outlined below:
To Provide and Perform Services: We use your personal information to schedule and carry out the cleaning services you request. For example, we use your address to send our cleaning team to the right location, your contact info to communicate with you about the appointment, and your service details to ensure we bring appropriate tools and understand your cleaning needs. Essentially, all the details you give us about your home and preferences are used to deliver a thorough and personalized cleaning service.
To Process Bookings and Transactions: We use the information you provide during booking (including date/time and payment details) to confirm your appointment and process payment. Payment information is used by our payment processor to charge for the service, and we keep records of transactions (amount, date, service provided) for accounting and to confirm that payment was received. We may also use your information to provide you with invoices or receipts and to manage any billing issues (such as if a payment is declined or disputed).
To Communicate with You: We use your email, phone number, or other contact details to send important communications about your service. This includes:
Confirmation and Reminders: We will send booking confirmations, reminders leading up to the service date, and any updates or changes regarding your appointment. For example, we might email you a confirmation when you book, then a reminder 2 days before the cleaning, and perhaps a notification when our team is on the way (if we have that feature enabled).
Service Follow-up and Feedback: After a cleaning, we might reach out to ensure everything went well or invite you to provide a review or feedback. Your input helps us maintain quality.
Customer Support: If you contact us with questions or issues, we will use your provided information to respond and resolve your inquiry. This might involve communicating via email or calling you if more immediate assistance is needed.
Future Scheduling: If you indicated interest in recurring services or if we haven’t heard from you in a while, we might reach out to see if you’d like to schedule another cleaning. We will always respect if you opt out of communications (see "Your Rights and Choices" below).
Emergency Notices: In rare cases, we might need to contact you urgently (for instance, if a cleaner is at your home and needs guidance, or if we must cancel last-minute due to an emergency). We will use the quickest contact method you provided (phone call or text) in such cases.
For Marketing and Promotional Purposes: We may use your contact information to send you promotional materials or offers, but only if you have given us consent or if it’s within the scope of permissible communication. For example:
If you provided your email to request a quote or service, we might occasionally send you newsletters, special discounts, or cleaning tips. These communications will include a way for you to unsubscribe or opt out.
We might use information about past services you’ve taken to tailor the promotions (for instance, sending a coupon for a deep clean if you’ve only used us for basic cleaning, or holiday cleaning offers at year-end).
We do not sell your information to third-party marketers, and we won’t bombard you with spam. We generally keep marketing emails infrequent and relevant. You can opt out anytime as described in "Your Rights and Choices."
Improving Our Website and Services: The usage data we collect (through cookies, analytics, etc.) helps us understand how people use our website and services. We analyze this data to:
Monitor and analyze usage trends and preferences of visitors to improve website functionality and user experience. (For example, if we see many users spend a lot of time on the "Services" page but drop off at the booking page, we might investigate if the booking process can be made easier.)
Develop new features or services to better serve our clients’ needs. (For instance, if many users are requesting a particular cleaning service or scheduling option, we might introduce it.)
Improve our business operations and service quality. We might use feedback from customers to train our staff better or adjust our checklists.
Ensure technical stability and security. We may use data about access and errors to debug and improve the security of our website.
Advertising and Analytics: We use information for advertising and analytics as part of our effort to reach new customers and remain competitive:
Analytics: Internally, we use tools like Google Analytics (see "Cookie Usage" below) to collect information about how users find and navigate our site. This helps us identify what marketing channels are effective (e.g., do most users come from Google searches, social media, etc.), and what content is most interesting to visitors. The insights from analytics are typically in aggregated form, meaning they don’t focus on you individually but on general user behaviors.
Advertising: We may use information such as cookies or emails to create audience lists for targeted advertising. For example, we might use a Facebook Pixel to later show you an ad on Facebook about a discount we’re offering. Or we might upload a list of customer emails to Google or Facebook to find "lookalike audiences" – people who have similar traits to our customers – to advertise to. These marketing practices are common for small businesses and help us find customers who may be interested in our services. We do these in a privacy-conscious way (for example, Facebook and Google hash or anonymize data we upload, and we don’t get personal details on the people they target; we just get better ad placement).
We also track the effectiveness of our ads. If you click on a Baltimore HCS ad online, we (or the third-party ad platform) might track that you visited our site or performed an action like filling out a quote form. This helps us measure what ads lead to bookings so we can invest wisely in advertising.
Legal and Safety purposes: We may use or disclose your information when necessary to comply with legal obligations, such as maintaining appropriate business records, complying with lawful requests by public authorities, or as otherwise required by law (e.g., responding to court orders or subpoenas). We might also use your information to enforce our Terms and Conditions, to address fraud or safety concerns, or to protect the rights and safety of our company, our customers, our employees, or others. For example, if someone were attempting to defraud our business or commit a cyber-attack, we might use relevant data (like IP addresses or user logs) to investigate and work with law enforcement.
We will only use your personal information for the purposes we collected it for, unless we reasonably consider that we need to use it for another related reason that is compatible with the original purpose. If we need to use your data for an unrelated purpose, we will notify you and, if required by law, seek your consent.
Cookie Usage
Like most websites, Baltimore HCS uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience, analyze traffic, and for marketing purposes. This section explains what cookies are, which cookies and trackers we use, and how you can manage your preferences.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or device when you visit a website. They allow the website (or a third party) to recognize your browser and remember certain information about you. Cookies can be "persistent" (staying on your device for a set period or until you delete them) or "session" (which expire when you close your browser). There are also other tracking technologies similar to cookies, like web beacons (tiny transparent images embedded in pages or emails) and local storage objects; but for simplicity, we refer to all of these as "cookies" in this policy.
How We Use Cookies:
We use cookies to provide the functionality of our site, to understand and improve how our site is used, and to support our advertising efforts. When you first visit our site, you might see a notice about cookies – by continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies as described here.
We generally use the following categories of cookies:
Essential Cookies: These are necessary for the website to function correctly. They might include, for example, cookies that keep track of your input when filling out multi-page forms (so you don’t lose information as you navigate) or cookies that remember your cookie consent preferences. Without these, certain services you request (like quote requests or bookings) may not be possible. We don’t require explicit consent for essential cookies, as they are needed for the website to operate.
Analytics Cookies: These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website. They help us understand which pages are popular, how users move around the site, and if they encounter errors. The data is aggregated and anonymized – we do not see individual user’s browsing habits, only general trends. We use this information to improve our website’s performance and design.
Advertising Cookies: Advertising (or marketing) cookies are used to track visitors across websites and display relevant advertisements on third-party sites. They remember if you have visited our site and what interest you showed, which allows advertising networks to show you ads that might be of interest (for example, an ad for our cleaning service on another website after you visited our site). These cookies often come from third-party companies (like Google or Facebook) and are placed via our site with our permission.
Third-Party Cookies and Tracking Technologies We Use:
We specifically use several third-party services that set cookies or use tracking technology on our site:
Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to collect data about website usage. Google Analytics sets cookies to track things like how long users stay on a page, which pages they visit, and which site referred them to our site. This helps us gauge the effectiveness of our website and marketing. The information generated by these cookies (including IP address, though Google truncates/anonymizes IP in some cases) is transmitted to and stored by Google on servers (which may be in the United States or other countries). Google uses this information on our behalf to evaluate use of our website and compile reports for us. We do not receive personally identifying information from Google Analytics – just aggregated statistics. Google Analytics may also set additional cookies for its own web analytics and ad targeting purposes. How to Opt-Out: If you don’t want Google Analytics to be used in your browser, you can install the official Google Analytics opt-out add-on, or you can block cookies in your browser settings (note: blocking all cookies may affect other site functionality).
Google Ads (including Conversion Tracking and Remarketing): We participate in Google Ads to display ads on Google search results and across the Google advertising network. Google Ads sets cookies (such as the "IDE" cookie for Google’s ad network DoubleClick, and various Google Ads conversion cookies) when you interact with our ads or visit our site. These cookies help Google show our ads to people who are more likely to be interested (for example, people who have visited our site before), and help us measure ad performance (for instance, a cookie will tell us if you clicked an ad and then later booked a service on our site – this is called conversion tracking). Google may also use cookies to serve our ads on other websites you visit (this is known as remarketing). Your Choices: You can opt out of Google’s personalized advertising by visiting Google’s Ad Settings, and you can learn more in Google’s Privacy Policy. Additionally, tools like the Network Advertising Initiative’s opt-out page allow you to control cookies from many ad networks.
Facebook Pixel and Facebook Ads: We use the Facebook Pixel on our site. The Facebook Pixel is a small piece of code that can track visitor actions on our website and connect them to Facebook (Meta) user profiles. This helps us in two ways: (1) Advertising: It allows us to show you targeted ads on Facebook/Instagram if you’ve visited our site (remarketing) or to reach new people on Facebook who share characteristics with our website visitors or customers (lookalike audiences). (2) Analytics: It provides us with anonymized analytics about how Facebook users interact with our site (for example, “X number of Facebook users visited this page”). The Pixel triggers cookies and similar storage on your device to enable this tracking. Data Use: The data collected via the Pixel (like which pages were visited or actions taken) may be combined by Facebook with your user profile (if you have one) and used according to Facebook’s Data Policy. We do not receive personal data from Facebook about you; we just receive aggregated campaign reports. Opting Out: You can opt out of Facebook’s use of cookies for ads by adjusting your Facebook account ad settings or through websites such as the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out page.
Other Third-Party Tools: We may occasionally test or use other analytics or marketing tools that set cookies, such as Microsoft Clarity, Hotjar, or similar user experience tools that track behavior on site (e.g., heatmaps, session replays). If used, these tools are solely to improve site usability and will be mentioned here if active. As of the last update of this policy, Google and Facebook are our primary third-party cookie providers. Any addition of new cookies will be reflected in an updated policy.
Your Cookie Choices:
You have several options to control or limit how cookies are used on your devices:
Browser Settings: Most web browsers allow you to refuse cookies or delete cookies already stored. You can usually find these options in the "Privacy" or "Security" settings of your browser. You might choose to block third-party cookies (which often are for advertising) while allowing first-party cookies (like those that keep you logged in or remember preferences). However, blocking all cookies may impact your ability to use our site (for example, our booking forms might not work properly if cookies are disabled).
Cookie Banners/Tools: If our website uses a cookie consent banner or tool, you can use that to customize your preferences on which types of cookies to accept (e.g., only necessary cookies vs. all cookies). We will honor the choices you make in such a tool. If you initially accept cookies and later wish to change preference, you may need to clear cookies and use the tool again on a fresh visit.
Opt-Out Mechanisms: Services like Google and Facebook offer their own opt-out choices:
Google Analytics: Use the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to prevent analytics on all sites.
Google Ads: Adjust Google Ad Settings to control personalized ads, or visit the NAI’s opt-out page for multiple networks.
Facebook: For Facebook and Instagram ads, go to your Facebook account Settings > Ads section and adjust ad preferences (you can opt out of ads based on data from partners, which includes Pixel data). You can also use the YourAdChoices opt-out to opt out of many sites’ targeted ads.
Do Not Track: Some browsers have "Do Not Track" (DNT) features that send a signal to websites that you do not want to be tracked. The web industry doesn’t have a consensus on how to interpret DNT signals. As a result, our site currently does not respond to DNT signals. We adhere to the privacy practices described in this policy regardless.
Please note that even if you opt out of targeted advertising or analytics cookies, you may still see general Baltimore HCS ads on the internet (for example, generic ads that are not based on your specific behavior), and we may still perform basic analytics using server logs or other non-cookie methods. However, your opting out will make any ads you see less tailored to your interests and will limit the amount of data we collect about your online interactions.
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or how to adjust your preferences, feel free to contact us (see Contact Information at the end of this policy).
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We treat your personal information with care and do not sell or rent your personal data to third parties for their own marketing use. However, we do share certain information with third parties under specific circumstances, primarily to help us run our business or to comply with the law. The types of third parties we may share information with and the reasons for sharing are:
Service Providers and Partners: We share information with third-party companies that perform services on our behalf or help us deliver our services to you. These include:
Jobber (Scheduling & Payments): As mentioned, we use Jobber as our client management platform. When you provide information through our booking portal, you are effectively providing it to both us and Jobber. Jobber stores that data in its system so we can manage your appointments. They also handle the payment processing via their integration with payment gateways (which might include Stripe or other processors). Jobber acts as a data processor on our behalf for your information. We have an agreement with Jobber to protect your data, and they are committed to privacy and security. We share with Jobber whatever information is needed to schedule and charge for your service (which is basically all the info you input). Jobber’s use of your data is governed by their privacy policy as well, and they will not use your information for any purpose other than providing services to Baltimore HCS (and indirectly to you).
Payment Processors: If not directly through Jobber, any payment transactions might involve third-party banks or payment gateways (e.g., credit card networks, merchant bank). Those entities will process your payment information securely. We only share the necessary transaction details with them to complete the payment (such as the amount, your card info, billing info). These processors are PCI-DSS compliant and are obligated to keep your payment details secure. Baltimore HCS itself never sees your full card number or verification code.
Email Service Providers: If we send out email newsletters or appointment reminders via a bulk email service (for example, MailChimp, SendGrid, or similar services), we would share your email address and possibly your name with that service solely for the purpose of sending you emails from us. Such providers are not allowed to use your email for their own purposes, and they typically have safeguards in place for security.
Advertising Partners: We may provide hashed or anonymized pieces of your data to advertising platforms to facilitate our targeted advertising (for example, uploading a list of customer emails to Facebook or Google so they can create a custom audience – as described in Cookie Usage). These platforms do not get plain text personal info from us in that process, and if they do use an identifier (like an advertising ID or hashed email), it’s only to help us reach you with ads and measure performance, not for their own independent use. Additionally, any data collected via cookies by Google or Facebook through our site is technically shared with those companies (they see that data), but this is covered in the previous section and governed by their privacy terms. We do not send them additional personal info like your name or address in conjunction with cookie data.
Other Vendors: We may engage other companies for various support tasks – for example, IT and security consultants (who might need access to systems that hold data to troubleshoot), accountants or auditors (who may see transaction records), or attorneys (if we need legal advice that involves reviewing customer agreements or incidents). In all cases, we share only what is necessary for the task, and these vendors are contractually or professionally obligated to keep your information confidential.
Within Our Corporate Group: If Baltimore HCS Home Cleaning Services is part of a larger company or has affiliates (for example, if we operate multiple brands or locations under a parent company like Kelly Green Club LLC as mentioned on our site), we might share information internally among our affiliates as needed to operate our business. For instance, if you inquire about services outside our area, we might refer your information to a partner or affiliate that serves your region (with your permission). All entities under common ownership follow this Privacy Policy or provide similar protection for your data.
Business Transfers: In the event that Baltimore HCS undergoes a business transition such as a merger, acquisition by another company, sale of all or part of its assets, or if we seek investment or financing, your personal information may be one of the assets transferred or reviewed. For example, if another company buys us, customer information will likely be transferred to the new owner so they can continue to serve you. We will ensure that any such successor entity either is bound to the terms of this Privacy Policy or will provide at least the same level of protection for your information. If a transfer of your information is to happen, we will endeavor to notify you (for example, via a notice on our website) if you are affected. Similarly, if we go through a bankruptcy or reorganization, your data may be considered an asset and handled accordingly under legal proceedings.
Legal Requirements and Protection of Rights: We may disclose your personal information when required to do so by law or in response to valid legal requests by public authorities. This includes:
Compliance with Laws: If we receive a subpoena, court order, or other legal process that compels us to disclose specific information, we may do so after evaluating the request and any legal requirements. We also might disclose information to law enforcement or government agencies if we believe it’s necessary to comply with the law or an investigation (for example, providing information about fraudulent credit card use or a claim of theft).
Enforcing Our Policies and Contracts: If necessary, we will use or disclose information to enforce our Terms and Conditions or other agreements, or to collect debts owed to us. For instance, if a client has unpaid invoices and has disappeared, we might share their information with a collections agency or lawyer to pursue the debt, in accordance with the law.
Protection of Rights and Safety: We may disclose information if we believe it’s necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Baltimore HCS, our employees, our customers, or others. For example, sharing information with insurance investigators regarding a claim, or warning authorities about a situation that could result in harm (like if we discovered something dangerous in a home related to a client, etc.).
With Your Consent: In situations where a use or sharing of your information falls outside the scope of this Privacy Policy, we will ask for your consent before doing so. For example, if we wanted to feature your testimonial or story on our website using your name and photo, we would ask for explicit permission. Or if a partner company had a special offer that we think is relevant, we wouldn’t give them your info unless you said it’s okay (instead, we might just send you the info on their behalf). In summary, if we ever plan to share your info in a way not covered here, we will let you know and give you the choice.
Sale of Personal Information: We want to re-emphasize that we do not sell your personal data to data brokers or third parties for monetary consideration. In the context of privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), “sell” is defined broadly, but we do not share your information in a way that would be considered a sale under such laws, except possibly the sharing with advertising partners which may be considered a “sale” under CCPA’s broad definition. If you are a California resident, please know that any such sharing is for use by us (to deliver relevant ads) and you can opt out of that sharing as described in Cookie Usage. We treat it as sharing for our business purposes and not selling for others’ independent use.
We strive to ensure that any third party we share information with will have appropriate safeguards in place to protect your data. Where feasible, we share data in an aggregated or anonymized form. When we share identifiable data, we limit it to what’s necessary for the recipient to perform their function. If you have questions about third parties that may have your info through us, feel free to contact us for more specifics.
Data Security
Security Measures: We take reasonable and appropriate measures to secure your personal information and protect it from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include both technical safeguards and organizational practices:
We use encryption where feasible. Our website uses HTTPS, which encrypts data transmitted between your browser and our site (look for the padlock icon in your browser address bar). The third-party portals we use, like the Jobber client portal and payment processing pages, also employ encryption (TLS/SSL) to protect your information during transit.
Sensitive information (such as payment data) is handled by PCI-compliant third-party processors as described, adding an extra layer of security.
We maintain firewalls and network monitoring to guard against external attacks. Our website and databases are hosted with reputable providers that employ robust security protocols.
Access to personal data is restricted. Only authorized Baltimore HCS personnel or our contractors who need the information to perform specific duties (e.g., scheduling, customer service, billing) have access to systems containing personal data. They are required to keep such information confidential.
We provide training to our staff about the importance of privacy and security. All employees and contractors must adhere to our data protection policies.
We regularly update our software, website platform, and plugins to patch security vulnerabilities. We also use anti-virus and anti-malware tools to prevent and detect threats.
If we store physical documents (like printed invoices or contracts), they are kept secure (e.g., in locked cabinets or offices with controlled access).
No Absolute Guarantee: While we are committed to safeguarding your information, it’s important to understand that no method of transmitting data over the internet or storing data electronically is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee that your information will be immune from every potential breach of security. Cyber threats evolve rapidly, and while we follow best practices, there’s always a residual risk.
Data Breach Procedures: In the unlikely event of a security breach that compromises your personal data, Baltimore HCS will act promptly:
We will investigate the incident to determine the nature and scope of the breach, and take immediate steps to contain it (for example, shutting down compromised systems, changing access credentials, etc.).
We will notify affected individuals as required by applicable law. For example, if a breach involving certain personal information occurs, Maryland law (and other state laws, depending on the individuals affected) may require us to send out notices to those individuals. Typically, such notice will include a description of what happened, the types of data involved, and guidance on what you can do to protect yourself (like monitoring accounts or changing passwords).
We may also notify regulatory authorities if required (for instance, notifying state agencies or attorneys general, or under GDPR, the data protection authority, within the legally mandated timeframes).
We will take steps to prevent a recurrence, such as patching software, enhancing our security protocols, providing additional staff training, or engaging security consultants to audit our systems.
Your Role in Security: We also advise you to take steps to protect your own information:
When you communicate with us electronically, be mindful of what info you share. Standard email is not encrypted end-to-end, so avoid sending highly sensitive info (like full credit card numbers or passwords) via email.
If in the future we provide account access on our site, choose a strong password and do not share it. Also, consider not using the same password for multiple sites to reduce risk if one is compromised.
Be cautious of "phishing" attempts: Baltimore HCS will never ask you for sensitive information like passwords via email. If you receive a suspicious communication that looks like it’s from us, contact us through our official channels to verify its authenticity.
Always log out or close browser sessions after using any secure portal (like the Jobber client hub), especially on public or shared computers.
We are committed to protecting your data and maintaining your trust. If you have any questions about the security of your personal information, or if you believe your interaction with us is no longer secure (for example, if you suspect that your data may have been compromised), please contact us immediately using the information provided at the end of this policy.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes we collected it for, including for the purpose of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements, and for legitimate business needs.
Service Data Retention:
Customer Records: If you have used our services, we will maintain a record of your service transactions (e.g., dates of service, services provided, amount charged) and basic personal details (name, contact, service address) for our business records. This helps us provide ongoing service to recurring clients (knowing your preferences and history) and respond to any issues or inquiries about past services. It also serves administrative purposes like accounting and tax reporting. We typically retain these records for at least several years (common business practice is 5-7 years for transaction records) unless a longer retention is required by law. For instance, in Maryland, certain business records might need to be kept for a minimum period, and IRS guidelines often encourage keeping financial records for 7 years.
Quotes and Inquiries: If you requested a quote or inquired about our services but did not end up booking, we may keep your contact information and the details of your request for a shorter period. This is to follow up on the inquiry or understand demand. If we haven’t heard back or you haven’t engaged our services, we might purge those inquiries periodically (say after 1-2 years) to reduce data storage, unless we've obtained your permission to keep it for future marketing.
Job Applications: (If applicable) If you applied for a job with us and provided personal info, such info is kept only for recruitment purposes and legal requirements, and not covered in detail here as it's outside service usage.
Online Data & Cookies:
Analytics Data: Google Analytics retains aggregated site data for a certain period (we might have settings like 26 months or so to keep historical trends). This data is mostly non-identifiable and used for site performance analysis. We may reset that retention clock when you visit (Google’s policy), but since it’s anonymized, it's not tied to your name.
Cookies: Cookies have varying lifespans. Some cookies (like session cookies) are erased when you close the browser. Others, like persistent cookies for analytics or ads, may last for months or even years unless you clear them. We defer to our third-party providers’ policies for cookie expiration (for example, Google Analytics cookies often last 2 years, Facebook cookies a few months). You can clear cookies anytime via your browser which effectively "resets" that data for your device.
If you’ve opted out of certain cookies or tracking, we may retain that preference (which could itself be in a cookie or our database) to honor your choices.
Legal Retention Requirements: We may need to retain certain information for longer periods if required by law. For example:
Tax and Financial Records: As a business, we must keep financial records (including payments, invoices, etc.) for a number of years for tax compliance and audits.
Dispute and Enforcement Records: If there’s an outstanding issue, claim, or lawsuit, we will retain relevant information until the matter is resolved and for a period thereafter as required by law (to ensure we have records in case of appeals, etc.). Similarly, if we banned a user for serious misconduct, we might keep identifying information to enforce the ban.
Compliance with Specific Laws: Certain regulations (like OSHA or labor laws if they apply, or insurance regulations) might require retention of incident reports or related data for specific time frames.
Deletion of Data:
When we no longer have a legitimate need or legal obligation to retain your personal information, we will dispose of it securely. This may involve deleting electronic records from our active databases, anonymizing data (so it no longer can be associated with you), and when necessary, securely shredding or deleting backups.
If you request deletion of your data (see the next section on Your Rights), we will also follow up by removing information that we are not required or permitted to keep. There may be instances where we cannot fully delete data (e.g., because of legal obligations or technical constraints with backups), but we will always comply with applicable laws on data deletion and will inform you of what we have done in response to a deletion request.
Your Rights and Choices
You have certain rights regarding your personal information, and we offer several ways for you to manage how we handle your data. These rights may vary depending on your location and the applicable laws, but we aim to honor the following general principles:
Right to Access: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. This means you can ask us to confirm if we’re processing your data and request a copy of that data. For example, you can ask, "What information do you have about me?" We will provide you with the categories of data, the purposes for which we use it, and, where possible, a copy of the actual information (subject to some exceptions like if providing it violates another person’s privacy or there's a legal restriction).
Right to Rectification (Correction): If you believe that any personal information we have about you is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to request that we correct or update it. For instance, if you change your phone number or notice we misspelled your name, you can let us know and we’ll update our records.
Right to Deletion: Also known as the "Right to be Forgotten," you may have the right to request that we delete your personal information. If you no longer want us to have your data, you can ask us to remove it from our systems. We will honor such requests provided that we do not have a legitimate reason to retain the data (such as a legal obligation or an ongoing need for the data in connection with our services). For example, if you were a customer, we might need to retain certain transaction records for accounting, but we can delete your contact details from our active mailing lists. If deletion is requested for data that we must keep (e.g., for legal compliance), we will inform you of that and isolate the data from active use if possible.
Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that we limit the processing of your data in certain situations. This might apply if you contest the accuracy of the data (and we’re verifying it), or if you object to us processing it and we are determining whether our grounds for processing override yours. During such times, we will mark the data to be excluded from further use aside from the issues at hand.
Right to Data Portability: In some cases, you have the right to request a portable copy of your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, so that you can transfer it to another service provider. This typically applies to data you provided directly and that we process by automated means. For example, if you wanted to switch to another cleaning service and they have a system to intake past preferences, you could ask if we can export your info. In practice, this might be less applicable to our type of service, but we will do our best to accommodate reasonable requests.
Right to Object: You have the right to object to certain types of processing of your personal information:
Direct Marketing: You can always object to the use of your data for direct marketing. If you say "don’t send me marketing emails or SMS", we will honor that (and provide easy ways to unsubscribe as mentioned below).
Processing based on Legitimate Interest: If we process data on the basis of "legitimate interests" (a legal term often used under GDPR), you can object to that processing if you have reasons related to your particular situation. For example, if we were using your data for some research or improvement that you don’t want to be part of, you could object. If we receive such an objection, we will evaluate whether our legitimate grounds for processing override your interests, and either stop or justify the processing accordingly.
Advertising Cookies: As mentioned in Cookie Usage, you can object to (opt out of) targeted advertising cookies.
Right Not to be Subject to Automated Decisions: We do not make any decisions about you that have legal or similar significant effects solely by automated means (no profiling or automated refusal of service, etc.). If that ever changes, you would have rights regarding such decisions.
California Privacy Rights: If you are a California resident, in addition to the above, you have rights under the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) such as the right to know specific pieces of personal information we have about you, the right to opt out of "sales" of your info (as discussed, we don’t sell data for money, but if sharing with ads is considered a sale, you can opt out of that by managing cookies as described), and the right not to receive discriminatory treatment for exercising your privacy rights. We do not discriminate (e.g., we won’t deny you service or charge you differently) for making privacy requests. If needed, we can provide a separate notice for California consumers explaining these rights in detail, but this policy largely covers our stance.
GDPR (EU/EEA) Rights: If you are in the European Union or European Economic Area (even though we operate in Maryland, it’s possible an EU resident might use our site), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation largely aligned with those listed (access, correction, deletion, etc.), plus the right to lodge a complaint with a Data Protection Authority. While our services are primarily US-focused, we will extend GDPR-compliant practices to any EU person’s data if applicable.
Exercising Your Rights:
To exercise any of the above rights, please contact us using the contact information provided in this policy. Make sure to provide enough information for us to verify your identity (we may need to confirm you are who you say, to protect your data from unauthorized access – for example, if you email from the address we have on file, that helps, or we might ask for a phone confirmation). Specify clearly what you are requesting (e.g., "I’d like a copy of my data" or "Please delete my customer record").
We will respond to your request as soon as practicable and within the timeframe required by law (for example, under GDPR typically within 30 days, under CCPA within 45 days with possible extension). If we need more time, we will let you know the reason and extension period.
There is generally no fee for making a request, although if a request is excessive or repetitive, the law allows us to charge a reasonable fee or refuse it (we would explain why if that case arises).
Managing Communication Preferences:
Email Marketing: If you wish to unsubscribe from our promotional emails, you can click the "Unsubscribe" link (or similar) found at the bottom of any marketing email we send. Alternatively, you can contact us and request to be removed from our mailing list. Please note that even if you opt out of marketing messages, we may still send you transactional or service-related emails (such as appointment confirmations, receipts, or direct responses to inquiries) as these are not promotional in nature but necessary for service.
SMS/Texts: If we send appointment reminders or promotions via SMS and you prefer not to receive them, you can reply with any stop keywords like "STOP" (if the message itself says you can) or contact us to remove your number from text updates. (Standard messaging/data rates may apply for any texts we send or you send to us.)
Postal Mail: We rarely, if ever, send postal mail advertisements. But if we do and you want to opt out, just let us know via one of our contact methods.
Phone Calls: We generally call or text only for service-related reasons (e.g., arrival times, issues). We don’t do telemarketing cold-calls. If you’d prefer not to be contacted by phone for service follow-ups or promotions, inform us and we will note that preference. We will still call if necessary for a scheduled service (for instance, if our cleaners are at your door and can’t get in, we will call because it’s urgent).
Cookie Preferences:
As detailed in the Cookie Usage section, you can manage cookies through your browser settings and through opt-out tools. If you have previously consented to certain cookies but changed your mind, you can usually clear your cookies and re-trigger the consent process on our site (if we have a consent banner). Some sites might also have a "Cookie Settings" link (if applicable, check our site footer or banner for that option).
Do Not Call: While not typically an issue, if you are on the National Do Not Call Registry, we will not call you for marketing purposes in violation of those rules. We only call regarding active services or if you asked for a call.
We hope this section clarifies that you are in control of your personal information. We are dedicated to upholding your rights. If you have any questions or concerns about your privacy or how to exercise your rights, please reach out to us.
Children's Privacy
Our website and services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years old. Baltimore HCS Home Cleaning Services is a business oriented toward homeowners and adult clients; as such, we expect users of our site and services to be adults or minors acting with the consent of a parent or guardian.
If You Are Under 13: Please do not submit any personal information to us. This includes not only making bookings (which should be done by an adult) but also refraining from sending emails, filling out forms, or contacting us with your personal details. If you need a home cleaning service and you are under 13, please ask your parent or guardian to contact us on your behalf.
Consent of Parent or Guardian for Minors 13-17: If you are between 13 and 17 years old, you should only use our site and services with the involvement and permission of a parent or guardian. We expect that any bookings or contracts will be made by someone 18 or older. If you are a parent or guardian of a minor who is using our site, we recommend supervising their activity and helping them understand not to share unnecessary personal information.
Information Received from Children: In the unlikely event that we discover we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without verifiable parental consent, we will take immediate action to delete that information from our servers. For instance, if a child sent us a message with their name and we realize their age, we would remove that contact info from our systems once the issue is identified.
Parents’ Rights: If you are a parent or legal guardian and you believe that your child under 13 has provided personal information to us, please contact us right away (see Contact Information below). We will work with you to investigate and, if applicable, delete such information. We are also happy to discuss what measures we take to prevent such collection and how we handle it.
We take children’s privacy seriously and comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and other applicable laws. Given the nature of our services, instances of children attempting to use our services directly are very uncommon, but our commitment stands.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update or modify this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our business practices, to accommodate new legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. When we make changes, we will:
Post the Updated Policy: The latest version of the Privacy Policy will always be posted on our website (likely on this page). You can tell if it has been updated by checking the "Last Updated" date at the top.
Notification of Material Changes: If we make any material changes to how we collect or use your personal information, we will take additional steps to inform you. This might include:
Adding a prominent notice on our website (for example, a banner or pop-up notification when you visit, informing you of the change).
Sending you an email or other communication if we have your contact details (e.g., if you’re a current customer or have subscribed to updates) describing the changes.
Outlining what the key changes are (e.g., if we started collecting a new type of data or using data for a new purpose, we would explain that).
Consent for New Uses: If a change involves using your personal information in a way that is materially different from what was stated at the time of collection, we will obtain any required consents from you (or give you an opportunity to opt in or out) before applying those changes to that information. For example, if in the future we decided to share data with a new partner not covered here, we might ask your permission first.
Your continued use of our website or services after an updated Privacy Policy has been posted (and after any significant changes have been communicated) will constitute your acceptance of the changes. However, if any changes are unacceptable to you, you have the right to stop using our services and you may contact us to exercise your rights (such as deleting your data).
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting the personal information we collect. If you have any questions or need clarification about a change, feel free to reach out to us.
Contact Information
We welcome your questions, comments, and concerns about privacy and data protection. If you need to contact us for any reason related to this Privacy Policy or your personal information, you can reach us through the following means:
Company: Baltimore HCS Home Cleaning Services
Address: 190 W Ostend St Suite #235, Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: +1 (443) 759-5009
Email: info@baltimorehcs.com
When contacting us, please provide sufficient detail about your question or request, and if you are reaching out to exercise a specific right (like accessing or deleting your data), please provide any relevant details that will help us fulfill your request (such as the email or name you used during service). We may need to verify your identity for certain requests to ensure we don’t disclose or modify information to the wrong person.
We will do our best to respond promptly to your inquiry — typically within a few business days. If you have an urgent concern (like suspecting a security issue), please indicate the urgency, and consider calling us for faster attention.
Thank you for reading our Privacy Policy. We value the trust you place in Baltimore HCS Home Cleaning Services and are dedicated to keeping that trust by respecting and protecting your personal information.