Privacy Policy
This policy describes how Fresh Start Data Services LLC collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information in connection with our trade line reporting and credit monitoring services.
Effective date: October 2026
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Account Information
When you create an account, we collect your full legal name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. This information is required to open and maintain your trade line account and to communicate with you about your service.
1.2 Social Security Number
We collect your Social Security Number (SSN) as required for credit bureau reporting under the Metro 2 format. Your SSN is used exclusively to identify your credit file with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. We do not use your SSN for any other purpose.
1.3 Payment Information
We collect payment card or bank account information to process your monthly subscription. Payment credentials are processed and stored by our PCI-compliant payment processor (Stripe). We do not store full card numbers on our servers.
1.4 Usage Data
We collect standard web server logs including IP address, browser type, pages visited, and timestamps. This data is used for security monitoring, service improvement, and fraud prevention.
2. How We Use Your Information
2.1 Trade Line Reporting
Your personal information — including name, SSN, address, and payment history — is furnished to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion in Metro 2 format as part of our core service. This reporting creates a trade line on your credit file reflecting your payment activity with us. Reporting is conducted pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.).
2.2 Credit Monitoring
If you subscribe to our credit monitoring service, we use your personal information to retrieve your credit scores and reports from the three major bureaus via soft inquiries. Soft inquiries do not affect your credit score.
2.3 Account Management
We use your contact information to send transactional communications including login links, payment confirmations, reporting notifications, and dispute correspondence. We do not send unsolicited marketing emails.
3. Information Sharing
3.1 Credit Bureaus
We furnish consumer data to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion as required to perform our trade line reporting service. This sharing is conducted under our obligations as a data furnisher pursuant to FCRA § 623.
3.2 Payment Processor
Payment information is shared with our PCI-compliant payment processor (Stripe, Inc.) solely for the purpose of processing subscription payments. Stripe's privacy policy governs their handling of your payment data.
3.3 No Third-Party Marketing
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. We do not share your data with data brokers, advertisers, or affiliate networks.
3.4 Legal Requirements
We may disclose personal information when required by law, subpoena, court order, or regulatory investigation. We may also disclose information to protect our rights, prevent fraud, or respond to a government request.
4. Data Security
4.1 Encryption
All personal data is encrypted at rest using AES-256 encryption. Data in transit is protected with TLS 1.3. Social Security Numbers are stored using additional field-level encryption and are never stored in plaintext or included in application logs.
4.2 Access Controls
Access to personal data is restricted to authorized personnel who require it to perform their duties. We maintain role-based access controls and audit logs for all access to sensitive consumer data.
4.3 Metro 2 File Transmission
Metro 2 data files transmitted to credit bureaus are delivered via encrypted SFTP connections. Files are validated against 700+ Metro 2 field-level rules before submission to ensure data integrity.
5. Data Retention
5.1 Active Accounts
We retain your personal information for the duration of your active subscription and for as long as necessary to fulfill our data furnishing obligations. Trade line data is reported monthly for the life of the account.
5.2 Closed Accounts
When you cancel your subscription, we retain account records as required by FCRA and applicable federal regulations. Trade line history reported prior to cancellation remains on your credit file as maintained by the credit bureaus — typically for up to 10 years for positive history.
5.3 Dispute Records
Records of consumer disputes and investigation outcomes are retained for a minimum of five years as required by FCRA § 623(a)(3) and our internal data furnisher policies.
6. Your Rights
6.1 Access and Correction
You may access and update your account information at any time through your client portal. If you believe any information we hold is inaccurate, contact us and we will correct it promptly.
6.2 Dispute Rights Under FCRA
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to dispute any information we furnish to the credit bureaus. You may file a dispute directly with us through your client portal or our dispute resolution page. You may also dispute directly with the credit bureaus at no charge.
6.3 Account Deletion
You may request deletion of your account and associated personal data by contacting us. We will process deletion requests within 30 days, subject to our legal retention obligations under FCRA and applicable regulations. Deletion of your account does not retroactively remove trade line history already reported to the credit bureaus.
Contact
Entity
Fresh Start Data Services LLC
Location
Linden, NJ
Website
fsfg-data.com