Privacy Policy

United Financial Services Group, Inc.
Philadelphia, PA, USA

Your privacy is very important to us. This Privacy Policy discloses how United Financial Services Group, Inc. (“United”) and its affiliates collect, protect, use and share personal information gathered about you, in conformance with the applicable law. All personal information is collected in a fair and non-intrusive manner, with your voluntary consent. Personal Information is not accessible to anyone outside the specific function for which it is collected. United respects the privacy of employees and job applicants, franchisees, development agents, United customers and other visitors to our websites who may choose to provide personal information. We recognize the need for appropriate protection and management of personal information that you provide to us. This Privacy Policy will assist you to understand what types of information we may collect, how that information may be used, and with whom the information may be shared.

In an effort to comply with the law, and our commitment to protect your personal information, we provide the following, which discloses our policies. Please note that this Privacy Policy does not govern the privacy policies and procedures of United’s independently owned and operated United franchises.

What type of information do we collect?

Personal Information is any information concerning the personal or material circumstances of an identified or identifiable individual. An identifiable person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, by reference to an identification number or to one or more factors specific to his or her physical, physiological, mental, economic, cultural or social identity.

Personal Information shall include but is not limited to: identifying information such as name, home address, home telephone number, e-mail address, Social Security number, financial information and employment-related information such as may be found on resumes, applications, background verification information, or in employment references.

We will not collect sensitive Personal Information, except to comply with Affirmative Action data requirements. Sensitive Personal Information can include but is not limited to: information pertaining to gender, disabilities and veteran status.

Cookies – Internet Users

In addition to Personal Information, we use data collection devices such as “cookies” on certain web pages to help analyze our web page flow and measure promotional effectiveness. Cookies are pieces of information a website sends to an individual’s hard drive while they are viewing the website. Cookies allow the website to remember important information that will make your visit to the site more useful. We use cookies to help improve your future visits. If you do not wish to receive a cookie or if you wish to set your browser to warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or if you wish to turn off all cookies, use the options on your browser to assist you. The “Help” option on your browser may assist you in changing your cookie preferences. Please note that by turning cookies off, you will not have access to many features available on our website.

Children and Data Collection

We care about the safety of children. We will not knowingly allow anyone under 13 to provide us any personally identifying information. Children under 13 years of age are required to obtain the express permission of a parent or guardian before submitting any Personal Information about themselves (such as their names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers) over the Internet.

Our Use of Your Information

We use your Personal Information to facilitate the services you request. We have tailored our Privacy Policy to adequately inform you of the use of your Personal Information.
Collection and Use of Employee Personal Information
United also collects Personal Information from its employees and applicants (human resource data) in connection with administration of its Human Resources programs and functions. These programs and functions include, but are not limited to: job applications and hiring programs, compensation and benefit programs, performance appraisals, training, access to United facilities and computer networks, employee profiles, internal intranet employee directories, Human Resource recordkeeping, Affirmative Action data, and other employment related purposes.

It is the policy of United to keep all past and present employee information private from disclosure to third parties. There are certain business related exceptions and they are:

To comply with local, county, state or federal agency requests;
Inquiries from third parties with a signed authorization from the employee to release the information, except in situations where limited verbal verifications are acceptable (see below);
Third parties with which United has contractual agreements to assist in administration of company sponsored benefits.

Verifications of Employment

Prospective employers, state agencies, financial institutions, and residential property managers routinely contact United requesting information on a former or current employee’s work history and salary. All such requests of this type shall be referred to and completed on a confidential basis by the Human Resources

Department or Payroll Department.

For written verification of employment requests, information will be provided on the form only when it is accompanied by an employee’s signed authorization to release information. The form will be returned directly to the requesting party and filed as part of the Human Resources or Payroll Department’s confidential records.

Medical Information

United is compliant with federal HIPAA regulations and only utilizes information related to the company sponsored healthcare plan on a “need to know” basis for administration of the healthcare plan.

Collection and Use of Customer Information

United will not collect customer Personal Information, unless the customer contacts United directly. In order to adequately address a customer’s concern, his or her Personal Information may be shared with the area Development Agent and franchisee. Development Agents assist with franchise sales, site location, training, and provide operational assistance to franchisees. Failure to provide necessary information may prevent United from fully addressing any customer concerns.

If you choose to enter one of United’s “Consumer Websites” from a link on this website, these sites may ask for contact information, name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. As set forth more fully below, these sites each have their own separate Privacy Policy, which can be obtained from their website. It is important to note here, however, that these Consumer Sites may use the information obtained to contact you regarding products or promotions, as well as other products and services, which may be of interest to you. At any time you may “opt out” of future contacts by un-subscribing from our database or contacting the Privacy Officer.

Collection and Use of Franchisee and Prospective Franchisee Information

By applying to become an United franchisee, a prospective franchisee consents to the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information in accordance with the following terms and conditions. We collect and use Personal Information in order to assist a prospective franchisee in applying to become an United franchisee and operate an United Check Cashing Center. This information may be used to assist United in selecting franchisee candidates.

Personal Information collected from prospective franchisees include, but is not limited to: name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, e-mail address, date of birth, citizenship, educational background, criminal background, bank account information for Electronic Funds Transfer, financial statement, litigation history, and taxpayer identification number. Failure to provide requested Personal Information may negatively impact a prospective franchisee’s ability to become a franchisee. In order to better service franchisees, a franchisee’s Personal Information may be shared between United and its affiliates, pursuant to the service contracts between them.

A franchisee and prospective franchisee’s information may be shared with the Development Agent, if there is one present, in their area. A Development Agent is an independent contractor of United or one of its affiliates. Development Agents assist with franchise sales, site location, training, and provide operational assistance. Development Agents also make recommendations as to whether a prospective franchisee in their respective territories should be granted a franchise. The Development Agent may use this information to: address a franchisee’s concerns in a customer complaint, respond to a franchisee’s inquiries for franchise sales, and any other inquiry which may require a response.

United will also share Personal Information in order to service franchisee leasing needs and related administrative functions. Franchisee Personal Information may be shared during franchise transfers. Finally, franchisee Personal Information may be shared with United Promotional Fund, (the “Fund”) in order to provide advertising services to member franchises.

Finally, upon becoming an United franchisee you consent to United disclosing former or past franchisee contact information including Personal Information in its Disclosure Document for one (1) year after leaving the system, as required by law. Contact our Privacy Officer in writing, either by e-mail or regular mail, return receipt requested, of your desire to have your details or contact information corrected or changed when you sell or transfer your United franchise or exit the United franchise system (whether by termination or otherwise). To contact the Privacy Officer, please see the section provided below entitled “Contact Information”.

Collection and Use of Area Director Information

By applying to become an United Area Director, an Area Director applicant consents to the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information in accordance with the following terms and conditions. We collect and use information in order to assist you in applying, and evaluating you to become an Area Director. Personal Information is collected to assist United and its affiliates in selecting Area Director candidates and for the purpose of operating a development territory.

Personal Information collected includes, but is not limited to: name, home address, home telephone number, facsimile number, e-mail address, date of birth, bank account information for Electronic Funds Transfer, financial statement, resume, taxpayer identification number and background checks.

Failure to provide necessary information may negatively impact your ability to become an United Area Director.

Sharing of Personal Information

We may share Personal Information with our service providers, consultants and affiliates for our internal business purposes. Except as described in this Privacy Policy, United will not share Personal Information with a third party, unless a customer requests, consents to such disclosure, or disclosure is required or authorized by law. United reserves the right to disclose Personal Information to a third party if a law, regulation, search warrant, subpoena, or court order legally requires or authorizes us to do so. United also reserves the right to disclose and/or transfer Personal Information to a third party in the event of a proposed or actual purchase, sale, lease, merger, amalgamation or any other type of acquisition, disposal, or financing of all or any portion of United or of any of the business or assets or shares of United or a division thereof in order for a franchisee or Development Agent to continue to receive the same products and services from the third party.

As described above, United, its affiliates, third-party service providers and Area Directors may share and exchange Personal Information in order to process franchisee and Area Director applications, administer the United franchise system and protect the integrity of the United franchise system and trademarks. Personal Information may be provided to a courier or freight forwarder in order to fulfill an order, which may have been requested from us.

Our Area Directors and other service providers are prohibited from using Personal Information for any purpose other than to provide assistance. Area Directors are required to protect Personal Information disclosed by us and to comply with the general privacy principles described in this Privacy Policy.

Storage, Retention and Accuracy of Personal Information

United insures that Personal Information is safeguarded against loss, access, use, modification, disclosure or other misuse. All reasonable steps are taken to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of your Personal Information.

United will retain your Personal Information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose(s) for which it was collected and to comply with applicable laws, and your consent to such purpose(s) remains valid after termination of our relationship with you.
We take all reasonable steps to insure that your Personal Information is accurate, up-to-date, complete, relevant and not misleading.

United may store your Personal Information in its databases located in the United States and/or other countries outside of the United States. Additionally, some of our service providers may reside in the United States or other countries outside of the United States and will be subject to the laws of the local jurisdiction. As a result, in certain circumstances, the United States and other foreign governments, courts, law enforcement agencies or regulatory agencies may be entitled to access the Personal Information collected and held by United.

Contact Information

You may contact the Privacy Officer to access, correct or delete your Personal Information. If necessary, the Privacy Officer will contact another employee to assist in completing your requested task. If you have any questions or complaints, please contact the Privacy Officer. The Privacy Officer can be reached by telephone at: 800-626-0787 or 215-238-0300; by Facsimile at: 215-238-9056; by email at: info@unitedfsg.com; or by mail at United Financial Services Group, Inc., 325 Chestnut Street, Suite 3000, Philadelphia, PA 19106. We will address your concern and attempt to resolve any problem. Download Privacy Information Request Form here.

Links to Non-United Web Sites and Third Parties

Please note that United web sites may contain links to other web sites for your convenience and information. United does not control those sites or their privacy practices, which may differ from www.unitedfsg.com. United’s privacy policy cannot and does not apply to external Web areas. We do not endorse or make any representations about third-party web sites, and our affiliate’s website, www.unitedcheckcashing.com each have their own respective privacy policies on their sites, which may differ in some ways from this site’s policy. The personal data you choose to give to these parties is not covered by the United privacy policy. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any company or website before submitting your Personal Information. These sites may choose to share their personal data with United: that sharing is governed by that site’s own privacy policy.

Changes to our Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy became effective on May 20, 2008. We may revise the Privacy Policy from time to time, without prior notification. Changes to this Privacy Policy will be effective when posted. In case of a material change to the Privacy Policy, we will provide notice on the Website of any update to the Privacy Policy and post the updated Privacy Policy. You are responsible for reviewing the current policy when you visit our site.

Acceptance of Terms

Your continued use of this Website is an acknowledgment and consent to any terms contained in this Privacy Policy, as it may be amended from time to time. We will use information in accordance with the privacy policy under which the information was collected. Even if you are no longer a customer or franchisee, our Privacy Policy will continue to apply to the information you provided us. If, however, we are going to use your personally identifiable information in a manner different from that stated at the time of collection, we will notify you via e-mail. You will have a choice as to whether or not we use your information in this different manner.

By visiting our Website, you acknowledge and agree that you have read this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection, use and other processing of your information in accordance with the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to all of the terms, conditions and practices set forth herein, you should cease use of the site immediately.