Privacy Policy
Effective Date: September 11, 2025
This Service Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between Smothers Investigations LLC, a licensed private investigation firm (North Carolina PPSB License #258857), located at 4416 Lake Ridge Dr., Raleigh, NC 27604
1. Information We Collect
We collect your personal information that you voluntarily provide, such as:
- Name, email address, phone number, and other details submitted via our contact form, website chat, or during onboarding (e.g., signed service agreements).
- Case-related information you share to facilitate our private investigation services.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information to:
- Provide private investigation services, including case updates, progress reports, meeting coordination, and invoicing.
- Communicate with you via email or SMS for time-sensitive case updates, as authorized by your express written consent.
- Improve our services and website functionality.
3. Sharing Your Information
Your personal information is private and will not be shared, sold, or disclosed to third parties, except in the following cases:
- When required by law, such as to comply with a subpoena, court order, or other legal obligations.
- To protect the rights, property, or safety of Smothers Investigations LLC, our clients, or others.
4. Consent for Email and SMS Communications
To receive secure, time-sensitive case updates via email or SMS (e.g., progress reports, meeting coordination), you must provide prior express written consent through one of the following methods:
- Contact Form: By submitting the form at SmothersInvestigations.com/contact and checking the box: “I consent to receive email and text messages from Smothers Investigations LLC. Message/data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out of SMS. Unsubscribe from email via the link in emails or contact info@smothersinvestigations.com. By checking this box, I confirm I am at least 18 years old. View our Privacy Policy.”
- Website Chat: By providing your phone number in our website chat, you consent to SMS updates. The chat displays: “By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from Smothers Investigations LLC for case updates. Message/data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.”
- Signed Service Agreements: Consent is included in digital or physical service agreements emailed or signed during onboarding.
Types of Messages:
- SMS: Low-volume (50-100 messages/week), e.g., “Smothers Investigations: Case update available. Reply for details or STOP to opt out.”
- Email: Case reports, invoices, or inquiries.
- Message/Data Rates: Standard message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier’s plan.
5. Opting Out of Communications
You may opt out of email or SMS communications at any time:
- SMS: Reply “STOP” to any message (honored immediately).
- Email: Click the “Unsubscribe” link in any email, reply “UNSUBSCRIBE,” or contact info@smothersinvestigations.com (processed within 10 business days).
6. Data Security
We prioritize the security of your personal information and employ industry-standard measures, including up-to-date antivirus software, password protection, and encryption for sensitive communications, to protect it on our systems. We store your personal information carefully and restrict access to authorized personnel only. To ensure the highest level of protection, we recommend you use secure methods (e.g., encrypted email or our secure contact form) when sharing sensitive information with us.
7. Your Rights
As a client of Smothers Investigations LLC, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Correction: You may request updates or corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete information, such as an outdated email address or phone number.
- Opt-Out: You may withdraw consent for email or SMS communications at any time, as described in the “Opting Out of Communications” section.
To exercise these rights, contact us at info@smothersinvestigations.com or (919) 504-9499. We will respond to valid requests promptly, typically within 30 days, and may verify your identity to ensure security.
8. Contact Us
For questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, contact us at:
9. Age Restriction
This website and our services are intended for individuals aged 18 and older. By using SmothersInvestigations.com or submitting information through our contact form, website chat, or service agreements, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 13 years of age. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without verifiable parental consent, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at info@smothersinvestigations.com.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.
