Privacy Policy.

i. Overview

This Privacy Policy describes how Sterling Claims Group (“Sterling,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information when you visit our website, request a claim review, or otherwise engage our services. By using our website or services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

We are committed to handling personal information responsibly and, where applicable, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), and other applicable privacy laws.

ii. Information We Collect

Information you provide directly

When you submit a claim review form or correspond with us, you may provide us with:

• Identifying information (name, email address, telephone number)
• Property information (address of the foreclosed property, approximate sale date, claim context)
• Supporting documentation you elect to share (identification, correspondence, court notices)
• Communications with our team (emails, messages, call notes)

Information collected automatically

• Technical data (IP address, browser type, device type, referring URL)
• Usage data (pages visited, time on page, clicks, used in aggregate to improve the site)
• Cookies and similar technologies, as described in Section v.

Information from public records

When we verify a claim, we consult public records maintained by courts, county clerks, trustees, and similar official sources. This information is already public; we organize it for the purpose of your matter.

iii. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to inquiries submitted through our contact form
• Evaluate and pursue the surplus funds recovery matter you ask us to review or undertake
• Communicate with you about your matter, including status updates
• Send transactional SMS updates (only where you have expressly opted in)
• Comply with legal, regulatory, and court obligations
• Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, or security concerns
• Operate, maintain, and improve our website and services

We do not use your personal information to train machine learning models or sell it to data brokers.

iv. SMS Communications and Mobile Data

If you opt in to our SMS program by checking the SMS consent box on our contact form, we may send you transactional text messages related to your claim (case updates, document notifications, appointment reminders, and account alerts). SMS consent is optional and is never a condition of receiving our services.

You may opt out of the SMS program at any time by replying STOP to any message. Reply HELP for assistance. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies based on case activity. For the full program terms, see our SMS & A2P Compliance page.

v. Third-Party Sharing & Service Providers

We share information only where necessary to pursue your matter or comply with the law. We never sell your personal information. Specifically:

• Service providers that support our operations, such as our SMS delivery provider (Twilio), our email form processor (FormSubmit), hosting, and secure document storage vendors. Each is bound by written agreements restricting their use of your information to service delivery, fraud prevention, and legal compliance.
• Licensed counsel engaged for your matter, attorneys retained to file or represent your claim in court.
• Court filings and adverse parties, information made part of a public filing will necessarily be accessible through the court record.
• Legal obligation, where required by subpoena, court order, or applicable law.
• Business transfer, in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, subject to continued protection of your information.

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes. SMS opt-in data and consent are never shared with any third party.

vi. Cookies & Similar Technologies

Our website uses a minimal set of cookies to operate the site and to understand, in aggregate, how visitors use it. We do not use advertising cookies or cross-site tracking. You may disable cookies in your browser; some features of the site may not function as intended if you do.

vii. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have some or all of the following rights with respect to your personal information:

• Access, request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction, ask us to correct information that is inaccurate.
• Deletion, request that we delete your information, subject to legal retention obligations.
• Restriction and objection, limit or object to certain processing.
• Portability, receive your information in a portable format.
• Opt-out of SMS, reply STOP to any text message we send, or email us to be removed from the program.
• Opt-out of email, unsubscribe from any non-transactional communications at any time.
• California / CCPA / CPRA residents have the right to know, delete, correct, and opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. We do not sell personal information.
• EU / UK / GDPR residents have the rights listed above plus the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

To exercise any of these rights, email support@sterlingclaims.net. We will respond within the time required by applicable law, typically 30 days.

viii. Data Retention

We retain personal information for the time necessary to pursue your matter and for a reasonable period thereafter for recordkeeping, regulatory, and tax purposes, typically seven years after closure, unless a shorter period is required. Information collected but not engaged (for example, an unreturned claim review) is retained for no more than 24 months and is then deleted or anonymized.

ix. Security

We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, or alteration. Email and voice communications are not inherently secure; we recommend encrypted channels for sensitive documents and will provide one on request.

x. Children’s Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under 18, and we do not knowingly collect information from minors. If you believe a minor has provided information to us, please contact us and we will delete it.

xi. International Transfers

Sterling Claims Group operates from the United States. If you access our services from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. Where required by law, we put appropriate safeguards in place for such transfers.

xii. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the “last updated” date at the top of this page and, for material changes, provide prominent notice on the website. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

xiii. Contact Us

Questions, requests, or concerns regarding this policy may be directed to:

Sterling Claims Group, Privacy Office
Email: support@sterlingclaims.net
Telephone: 314-471-3627