Online Privacy Policy
Respect for Your Privacy
Fannin County Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“FCEC” or “Cooperative”) respects the privacy of its members and of visitors to its various online platforms, including www.fcec.coop (the “Website”). This Online Privacy Policy explains the treatment of personal information collected through FCEC’s online platforms, including the Website and mobile applications such as Smart Hub. All use of FCEC’s online platforms, and associated services, are subject to this Online Privacy Policy.
Information Collected
Personal Information: FCEC obtains personal information concerning you based on how you interact with FCEC through its online platforms, including, but not limited to, when you contact FCEC with inquiries, register for services or an online account, use FCEC’s online bill payment services, enter a contest, participate in surveys, or complete forms or applications through FCEC’s Website. This personally identifiable information may include your full name, account number, email address, postal address, telephone number, and fax number. By accessing FCEC’s online platforms or associated services, you are consenting to FCEC’s use of your personal information in accordance with this Online Privacy Policy and FCEC’s Terms of Use.
Personal information also includes any username or password selected or assigned to you when you interact with FCEC’s online platforms. You should keep any such username and password confidential. If you believe that an unauthorized person may have learned your password or accessed your account, please contact FCEC by using any of the contact methods below.
Non-Identifiable Information: When you interact with FCEC through its online platforms, FCEC may receive or generate non-identifiable information, such as the date and time you accessed the online platform, the pages you viewed on the online platform, how you used the online platform, the type of browser and operating system used to access the online platform, and/or whether you linked from another website and, if so, the URL of the referring website. Typically, such information is collected passively. For example, FCEC may collect this information using log files, cookies, pixel tracking, ad tracking, or similar technologies. FCEC may store non-identifiable information, or it may be provided to, or maintained by, its affiliates, agents, or service providers. FCEC uses this information to improve the functionality of the online platform and any associated services.
Location Information
Certain applications on mobile devices, such as Smart Hub, may transmit information to FCEC about your location. An example is the inclusion of your physical location when you report an outage using your mobile device. FCEC may use that information to improve the services provided or for the development of new services.
Analytics
FCEC may use Google Analytics, which uses non-identifiable information from cookies and other similar technologies to report trends to FCEC about the Website and mobile application use. To learn more, including how to opt-out, visit https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
FCEC uses analytics tools from various social media platforms that use non-identifiable information to show FCEC how users engage with those platforms. To learn more, review your individual privacy settings located within your social media account(s).
Security
FCEC strives to maintain personal information with commercially reasonable and appropriate technical, administrative, and physical safeguards that strive to protect against loss, unauthorized access, destruction, misuse, modification, and improper disclosure.
How Personal Information is Used
FCEC uses personal information as necessary to conduct FCEC business and for the original intended purpose, or other purpose as explicitly authorized by law. This includes, but is not limited to, billing, collecting payments, conducting authorized credit assessments, reporting bad debt, contacting customers, resolving concerns, providing or improving FCEC’s online platforms and associated services, marketing, and meeting legal concerns or obligations. In addition, if personal information is provided for a specific reason, FCEC may use the personal information in connection with the reason for which it was provided. For instance, if you contact FCEC with an inquiry, the personal information you provide will be used to answer your question or resolve your concern.
FCEC may share your personal information with authorized business partners necessary to assist in carrying out FCEC business without further notice to you. FCEC may also use other companies to perform certain business-related functions in connection with the Website, mobile applications, and associated services. Examples include electronic mailing services, maintaining databases, and processing payments. When FCEC engages another company to perform a function of this nature, your personal information may be provided for them to perform that function; however, as a general matter, FCEC does not provide email addresses or other personal information to any third parties for the marketing of the third parties’ goods or services without your consent. In addition, FCEC does not sell, rent, loan, or exchange your personal information except as allowed according to FCEC’s Bylaws.
FCEC may disclose your personal information if required to do so by law or to (1) comply with a legal obligation, (2) protect and defend FCEC’s rights or property, (3) act in urgent circumstances to protect the personal safety of users of the Website or the public, or (4) protect against FCEC’s legal liability.
Opt-Out Option
FCEC may use your personal information to send email, telephone, or text message communications related to your service or FCEC business, unless you opt-out. To opt-out of this communication, you must either follow the opt-out instructions within Smart Hub or contact FCEC (using any of the contact methods below).
Links to Other Websites
FCEC’s Website and mobile applications may contain links to other websites that are not owned or controlled by FCEC. Also, you may have linked to FCEC’s Website from another website that is not owned or controlled by FCEC. Be aware that FCEC is not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites, and this Online Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through FCEC’s Website, mobile applications, or in connection with any associated services. You should carefully review the privacy practices of any third-party website before providing such website with any personal information.
Social Media Platforms
FCEC may interact with registered users of various social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Any content you post to such social media platforms (e.g., pictures, information, or opinions), as well as any personal information that you otherwise make available to users (including without limitation, your profile), is subject to the applicable social media platform’s terms of use and privacy policies. FCEC recommends that you review this information carefully to better understand your rights and obligations regarding such content. In addition, FCEC reserves the right to block, delete, or edit posts on its social media platforms where such posts are determined by FCEC to be inappropriate, unprofessional, offensive, or otherwise in violation of FCEC’s policies.
Children’s Privacy
While FCEC’s Website contains energy-related information and information that may be of educational value to children, no personal information is required for you to use those features. FCEC does not knowingly permit persons under the age of 13 to register or provide personal information through the Website, and the provision of personal information by children through the Website is strictly prohibited. FCEC encourages parents to supervise and participate in their children’s internet activities, and children are urged to exercise caution and consult their parents before providing any personal information to any website on the internet.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
It may be necessary for FCEC to make changes to this Online Privacy Policy from time to time, to reflect changes to the Website or associated services, technology, or legal requirements and guidelines. FCEC reserves the right to update or modify this Online Privacy Policy (on a prospective basis) without prior notice to you. You are encouraged to review this Privacy Policy before you provide any personal information.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your personal information or privacy-related issues, you can contact FCEC via any of the methods listed directly below:
Mail: Fannin County Electric Cooperative
Attn: Member Services
P.O. Box 250
Bonham, TX 75418
Email: memberservices@fcec.coop
Phone: 1-800-695-9020
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Revised: November 2022