CONSUMER PRIVACY & COOKIE POLICY

At Meridian Financial Services, Inc., we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal information entrusted to us. As a third-party debt collection agency, we operate in full compliance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), and applicable state privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA) and similar laws enacted in Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, and Utah.
This Privacy & Cookie Policy explains how we collect, use, and disclose your information through our consumer-facing website and payment portal. By using our site or submitting information, you agree to the terms outlined below.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information:

  • Identifiers: Name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and account reference number.
  • Payment Information: Bank account or payment card details, when provided for payment processing.
  • Online Identifiers: IP address, browser type, device type, and interaction data collected through cookies or similar technologies.
  • Account History: Records of your transactions and interactions with us or our website.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following legitimate and contractual business purposes:

  • Processing and confirming payments
  • Verifying your identity
  • Communicating with you regarding your account
  • Maintaining compliance with applicable laws and regulations
  • Detecting and preventing fraud or system abuse
  • Performing analytics to improve website functionality

We do not sell or share your personal information for advertising or marketing purposes.

3. Sharing Information

We may share your information with:

  • Service providers and vendors who may assist us in fulfilling operational services such as mailing letters, processing payments, or providing IT support.
  • Credit reporting agencies, when permitted by law and applicable to your account.
  • Government or regulatory authorities, when required by law or in response to a subpoena or similar legal process.

All service providers are contractually obligated to maintain the confidentiality and security of your information and to use it solely for the contracted purpose.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies (such as JavaScript tags) for the following purposes:

  • Maintaining secure session states
  • Recognizing returning users
  • Monitoring website traffic and system performance

Cookies may collect data such as your device type, browser, IP address, and usage patterns. These are used strictly for security and functionality.

Managing Cookies: You may disable cookies in your browser settings. However, certain features of the website may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

For more information about managing cookies, visit: http://www.allaboutcookies.org/manage-cookies

By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies unless disabled in your browser.

5. Consumer Privacy Rights

Depending on your state of residence, you may have the right to:

  • Access the personal information we hold about you
  • Request correction of inaccurate information
  • Request deletion of your personal information (subject to certain exceptions)
  • Request information about how your data has been shared
  • Opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information (we do not sell or share your personal information)

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at meridianprivacydepartment@merid.com or call us toll-free at 1-866-294-7120. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your legal rights.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to:

  • Fulfill the purpose for which it was collected
  • Comply with federal and state legal requirements
  • Maintain accurate business and financial records

Typically, this means we retain data for a minimum of seven (7) years from the date of account resolution unless required otherwise by law.

7. Security

We maintain physical, technical, and administrative safeguards designed to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. These safeguards meet or exceed industry standards for financial data protection.

8. Updates to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our business practices or legal obligations. Updates will be posted to this page with a revised effective date.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or how your data is handled, contact:

Privacy Officer
Meridian Financial Services, Inc.

Attn: Privacy Officer

P.O. Box 5919

Asheville, NC 28813-5919

Email: meridianprivacydepartment@merid.com *
Phone: (866) 294-7120

*This email address is designated exclusively for privacy and data-handling inquiries. It is not monitored for, nor authorized to receive, account-specific correspondence, payment inquiries, disputes, validation requests, or communications under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or Fair Credit Reporting Act. Messages sent to this address will not constitute proper notice and will not be processed.