Privacy Policy
Effective: 11/19/2004
AutoNationDirect.com,
Inc. (“AutoNationDirect”) is committed to respecting the privacy rights of our customers
and all visitors to our web site. We take this matter very seriously, and have instituted
many policies and procedures to insure that your privacy rights are safeguarded.
The following outlines AutoNationDirect’s privacy policies and details the measures
we have taken to protect your privacy, while providing you with a unique and rewarding
online shopping experience.
Our Promise
AutoNationDirect.com provides you with a safe, no-hassle method of researching,
shopping, and purchasing a vehicle. In this regard, we address the issues of security,
full-disclosure, fair and honest pricing, and provide a thorough and specific Privacy
Policy.
AutoNationDirect is a licensee of the TRUSTe Privacy Program. TRUSTe is an independent,
non-profit organization whose mission is to build users' trust and confidence in
the Internet by promoting the use of fair information practices. This privacy statement
covers the site www.AutoNationDirect.com
and subdirectories. Because this web site wants to demonstrate its commitment to
your privacy, it has agreed to disclose its information practices and have its privacy
practices reviewed for compliance by TRUSTe.
If you have questions or concerns regarding this statement, you should first contact
Guillermo Pernas, Privacy Officer by email at PernasG@AutoNation.com, by phone at
(954)769-2347 or by writing him at Guillermo Pernas, Privacy Officer, AutoNation,
Inc. 200 SW 1st Avenue, 14th Fl. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301. If you do not receive
acknowledgment of your inquiry or your inquiry has not been satisfactorily addressed,
you should then contact TRUSTe at
www.truste.org/consumers/watchdog_complaint.php
. TRUSTe will then serve
as a liaison with the Web site to resolve your concerns.
What information does AutoNationDirect collect?
As part of the vehicle research and purchase process, information such as your e-mail
address, name, and contact telephone numbers will be requested. This information
will be used solely as described below.
When entering information on this web site, it is transferred automatically to AutoNationDirect's
lead management system called Compass. The Compass system will automatically record
the information and send it to a Personal Auto Consultant (“PAC”) so that your inquiry
may be answered promptly by a qualified representative.
AutoNationDirect provides for limited employee access to the Compass system. Compass
is a secured application that can only be accessed by entering a valid user name
and password. Once you have expressed interest in being contacted, the PAC will
respond through a personalized email or phone call.
After the initial email contact, there may be several points of communication between
you and the PAC by either telephone or email. At any point in the relationship you
have the option of indicating by either telephone or email that you no longer wish
to be contacted by the PAC. In this event, the PAC will access the Compass system
and mark your customer record as ''closed'', at which time, you are removed from
''active'' status.
If you express interest in financing a vehicle, additional information related to
creditworthiness will be requested by AutoNationDirect. This credit information
will only be used in compliance with applicable federal and state law.
Does AutoNationDirect use cookies?
AutoNationDirect does, in a limited manner, use a technology called "cookies". A
cookie is a small piece of text that you can agree to place on your computer's hard
drive. In most cases, you can set your web browser to prompt you when a cookie request
is being made from a web page, such as the AutoNationDirect web page, and you have
the option to accept or not. If you accept or do not reject the cookie, then your
browser adds the text in a small file, which will expire in 90-days. Accepting cookies
in no way gives us access to your computer or any personal information about you.
It is merely a method of storing information to improve your online experience.
It will assist us in making your site visit easier and more productive. Technically,
cookies are harmless, occupying just a few bytes on your hard drive. Note that personal
information is often contained in or linked to a cookie (such as email address,
zip code, etc.). The only time that AutoNationDirect receives such information is
if you volunteer it by typing in the information. The use of the personal information
is limited to being contacted by the PAC as described above, or, for obtaining financing
if you request.
The following describes how our website uses cookies and how we provide you with
a more personalized experience:
Marketing:
We publish special promotions, pricing promises, brand name and various other messages
on the Internet to help consumers find AutoNationDirect. In order to determine which
method is most effective, a cookie is used to capture which method was used to find
our web site. The information included in the cookie is limited to only the message
identifier.
Does AutoNationDirect track my visits?
At AutoNationDirect, our site may also gather information about which areas of our
site receive the most visits and user visit history. This is done by the placement
of a cookie on your computer. Additionally, we send site metrics information to
a third-party service provider by the use of cookies and web beacons, who then aggregates
the captured data. The type of data captured includes; search engine referral, traffic
driven by ad banners or other online promotions, how visitors navigate around the
site, and the most popular pages. We also track technical information, such as the
browser version and operating system of visitors, to deliver a better site design
for our visitors. The data is analyzed, generating several different types of reports
showing different views on the data collected. We do not capture any information
about any individual's use of the site - rather only aggregate data is captured.
Our third-party metrics provider is obligated to strict confidentiality restrictions
and is not permitted to sell or use AutoNationDirect's aggregate site data for any
purpose other than for providing AutoNationDirect with the metrics information.
AutoNationDirect, does not share, sell or provide any of this aggregate data with
outside companies, with the exception noted above. Furthermore, AutoNationDirect
does not track where you go on the World Wide Web.
How is email used on AutoNationDirect?
A customer provides an email address to AutoNationDirect as part of an inquiry such
as on a contact form.
Contact Form - if a customer wishes to be contacted
by a PAC, the customer completes a form that includes a request for their email
address.
Where an email address is requested, the customer voluntarily submits their email
address in order to receive follow up information, a specific price quote, or establish
a relationship with a PAC. Each email you receive from us will contain an opt-out
link which can be used in the event that you no longer wish to receive communications
from us.
Additionally, you can email or call the PAC using the information provided in their
first email contact to you.
There are opt-in links on our websites should you wish to receive promotional communications
from us in the future. All email communications contain a link that can be used
to opt-out from further email communication.
Does AutoNationDirect provide a way to update or remove personal
information?
A customer wishing to change, update, or remove personal information may do so by
contacting the PAC either by email or telephone and stating their wishes at any
time. The PAC contact information can be found in the initial email response you
received from us.
Why are we telling you all this?
Because AutoNationDirect is a firm believer and active participant in consumer privacy,
we maintain these policies that give our visitors full disclosure. AutoNationDirect
believes in improving the customer's online shopping experience through the responsible
and secure collection and usage of customer data.
Your Consent
As a condition to using the AutoNationDirect site, we require your approval to collect
this data. By visiting AutoNationDirect you agree that we may collect and use this
information as stated in our privacy policy. If we change our privacy policy, we
will post the changes on this page so you are always informed about what information
we collect, how we use, and under what circumstances we disclose it.
Changes in this Privacy Statement
If we decide to materially change our privacy policy, we will post those changes
to this privacy statement, the homepage, and other places we deem appropriate so
that you are aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what
circumstances, if any, we disclose it.
AutoNationDirect Security Statement
At AutoNationDirect, we've taken important measures to keep the information you
share with us safe and secure.
Secure Technology
AutoNationDirect uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption technology to protect
your personal information provided on credit applications and where credit card
information is required. SSL encrypts or codes this information as it travels over
the Internet, and is then decoded by AutoNationDirect and its business partners
who facilitate your transactions on this web site.
We do not read personal communications. We do not give out your telephone number,
credit card information, or screen names, unless authorized to do so or as required
by law.
How do I know when my information is protected?
You can tell if you are using a Web browser that supports SSL if a "key"
or "padlock" icon appears in one of the lower corners of your screen (For
example, when using Netscape you will see a key; when using Internet Explorer you
will see a padlock). When you enter a secure page, the key is "un-broken"
or the lock is closed. This means that your communications are now secure, encrypted,
and cannot be read by non-authorized sources.
Another sign that you are in a secure transaction mode is a URL that begins with
"https:". When you see any of these symbols on your browser, you know
that your information is protected and you can interact with the website with confidence.
Security and Applying for a Loan
When applying for an auto loan on the AutoNationDirect web site, the credit application
is securely collected and transmitted using SSL technology that encrypts your personal
information as it travels over the Internet. (Please see our security statement
above for further details.)
Privacy and Applying for a Loan
At AutoNationDirect, we take your privacy very seriously. We know that information
about you and your finances are sensitive. Only duly authorized and qualified personnel
have access to your credit application. We will ask you for your contact information,
such as name, address, phone, and email address; your financial information, such
as monthly income, amount of debt, monthly rent or housing payment; and sensitive
information such as date of birth and social security number.
By submitting your credit application, you are giving consent to AutoNationDirect
to investigate your credit and employment history. AutoNationDirect works with various
affiliated new vehicle franchises. Depending on the make you select, that affiliated
brand of auto dealership may be the entity processing your credit application. For
this reason, if you are, for example, seeking a Honda automobile, your credit report
may indicate an inquiry by an affiliated dealership, such as Maroone Honda in lieu
of, or in addition to, an inquiry by AutoNationDirect. All of our affiliated dealerships
are compliant with the terms and conditions of this privacy policy. A credit report
may be obtained, in connection with this application, for a renewal or extension
of credit for which application was made. Upon request, you will be told if a credit
report(s) was/were obtained, and given the name and address of the credit reporting
agency(ies) providing the report(s). Your credit information may be shared with
third party lending institutions, which have a business relationship with the dealership
that you have chosen for the purpose of providing auto loans.
Once you have completed and submitted the credit application, you will be presented
with a "Thank You" page, which discloses the address and phone number
of AutoNationDirect. It is suggested that you print this page by pressing the print
button on your browser. In the event that you have any questions or concerns regarding
your credit application, please contact your PAC.
Information We Collect
We collect nonpublic personally identifiable information about you and other applicants
for many reasons, including to help identify you, evaluate your application, service
and manage your Lease or Loan (''Account'') and broaden our relationship with you
(such as by offering you products or services that you may find valuable). We collect
this information from a number of sources, including the following:
-
Information provided by you on Account applications and other forms, including identifying
information such as address, telephone number, e-mail address, social security number,
date of birth and credit information such as income and employment.
-
Information obtained through your transactions and relationships with us, our affiliates
and others, such as items purchased, payments, payment method, and information provided
on customer service and collections calls.
-
Information provided by credit bureaus and similar companies, such as your account
and payment history with other lenders. We may receive a copy of your credit report
and all financial information contained therein.
-
Information provided by other third parties, such as demographic firms, in connection
with marketing programs.
-
Information obtained online, including from "cookies" (small pieces of
data stored by your Internet browser on your computer) or other technology that
may be used to remember passwords for you, to track your website usage with us,
and to provide you with customized content, among other things.
Information We Share With Others
We may use and share all of the information described above, subject to applicable
law, with the following (these examples are not intended to be all-inclusive):
- Service Providers - We provide information to third
parties (including our affiliates) to assist us in servicing Accounts, like preparing
billings statements and promotional materials, administering and enforcing our Accounts
and responding to customer inquiries. We also may use marketing firms, such as modeling
companies, to assist us in our own marketing efforts. Any of these third-party service
providers may use customer information to perform contracted services at our request.
- Our Affiliates - Our affiliates are other companies
in the AutoNation, Inc. corporate family. In addition to using affiliates to perform
services in connection with your vehicle purchase or inquiry, we may provide information
such as identification, transaction and experience information, to AutoNation, Inc.
owned automobile dealerships with your consent.
- Others - We report sale information, such as credit
limit, balances and payment information, to credit bureaus. In addition, we may
buy and sell assets, lines of business and/or Accounts. When this occurs, customer
information generally is disclosed to bidders and is one of the transferred business
assets. We also disclose information about you to third parties in certain other
circumstances, as permitted by law.
Legal Disclaimer
We reserve the right to disclose your personally identifiable information as required
by law and when we believe that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights and/or
to comply with a judicial proceeding, court order, or legal process served on our
Web site.
Our Security Procedures
The security of customer information is very important to us and we take a number
of steps to safeguard it. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards
that comply with federal standards to guard non-public personal information about
you. We limit access to personal and account information to those employees and
agents who assist us in providing products and services to you. Employees who fail
to follow our established standards are subject to disciplinary action. We also
require third parties to whom we disclose nonpublic personal information to adhere
to this Privacy Policy and to establish information security procedures.
How This Policy Applies to You
This policy applies only to consumers and/or customers who apply for and/or receive
financing for personal, family or household purposes. The examples contained in
this Privacy Policy are illustrations only, and are not intended to be all-inclusive.
If you become an inactive customer, or if we close or suspend your Account, we will
continue to adhere to the privacy policies and practices described in this notice
to the extent we retain information about you. We may amend this Privacy Policy
at any time, and we will inform you of changes as required by law. You may have
other privacy protections under state laws and we will comply with applicable state
laws when we disclose information about you. This Privacy Policy replaces our previous
disclosures to you about our information practices.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding our privacy policy, please contact:
Guillermo Pernas
Privacy Officer
AutoNation, Inc.
200 SW 1st Avenue, 14th Floor
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Email:
privacyofficer@autonation.com
Phone: (954)769-2347