Legal Documentation

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 2024. This document is a standard template and does not constitute formal legal advice.

At Porch Stitch, we are committed to providing residents of Ottawa and Ontario with accurate information regarding debt collection practices while maintaining the highest standards of data protection. This policy outlines our compliance with Canadian federal and provincial privacy laws.

1. Introduction and Data Controller

This Privacy Policy describes how Porch Stitch ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and discloses your personal information when you visit our website or use our services related to debt collection education in Ottawa.

For the purposes of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) in Ontario, Porch Stitch acts as the primary data controller. We ensure that all personal information is handled with the sensitivity required for financial and legal inquiries.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that identifies, relates to, describes, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular consumer or household:

Identity Data: Name, alias, and contact preferences.
Contact Data: Email address, telephone number, and mailing address provided via our contact forms.
Technical Data: Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser type and version, time zone setting, browser plug-in types, and operating system.
Usage Data: Information about how you use our website, including pages visited and time spent on specific debt relief resource sections.
Financial Context: Any information you voluntarily provide regarding your debt situation (e.g., collection agency names, debt amounts) to receive tailored information.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

Under Canadian law, we process your data based on the following legal grounds:

Consent: When you voluntarily provide information via forms or subscribe to our newsletter.
Contractual Necessity: To provide the specific information or services you have requested regarding Ontario's 2-year limitation period or credit reporting.
Legitimate Interest: To improve our website performance, ensure security, and provide educational content relevant to Ottawa residents facing debt collection.
Legal Obligation: To comply with statutory requirements under the Ontario Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act where applicable.

4. How We Use Your Data

We utilize the collected information for the following purposes:

To provide localized advice on dealing with collectors in Ottawa.
To process and respond to inquiries made through our digital interface.
To send educational materials regarding Equifax and TransUnion reporting standards.
To monitor for fraudulent activity and protect the integrity of our legal resource database.
To analyze traffic patterns to better serve the Ottawa community with relevant debt relief tools.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Typically, contact data is stored for a period of two years following your last interaction with us, aligning with the standard Ontario limitation periods for most debt-related inquiries.

6. Disclosure to Third Parties

We do not sell your personal information. We may share data with trusted service providers (such as hosting providers and analytics services) who assist us in operating our website. In specific cases, we may disclose information if required by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities in Ontario or the Federal Government of Canada.

7. Your Rights under PIPEDA

As a resident of Canada, you have specific rights regarding your personal information:

Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
Right to Rectification: You can request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
Right to Withdraw Consent: You may withdraw your consent to data processing at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions.
Right to Challenge Compliance: You have the right to address a challenge concerning our compliance with PIPEDA principles to our Privacy Officer.

8. Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies to enhance user experience. You can manage your preferences through your browser settings. For detailed information, please refer to our Cookie Policy.

9. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact our Privacy Officer at:

Porch Stitch Privacy Office

Address: 150 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1P1

Email:

Phone: +1 (305) 822-9255