Account Security & Privacy
Your account security is important to us. Here's how to protect your account and personal information.
Account Security Best Practices
Create a Strong Password:
Password Requirements:
- Minimum 8 characters
- At least one uppercase letter
- At least one lowercase letter
- At least one number
- Special character recommended (!@#$%^&*)
Strong Password Tips:
- ✓Do:
- Use unique password for Royal Palm
- Mix letters, numbers, and symbols
- Make it at least 12 characters
- Use a passphrase (e.g., "PalmTrees&Sunshine2025!")
- Use a password manager
- ✗Don't:
- Reuse passwords from other sites
- Use personal info (birthday, name, etc.)
- Use common words or phrases
- Share your password
- Write it down where others can see
- Use simple patterns (123456, qwerty, password)
Changing Your Password:
Regular Updates:
- Change password every 3-6 months
- Immediately if you suspect compromise
- After using public computer
- If notified of breach
How to Change:
1. Log into your account
2. Go to Account Settings
3. Click "Password & Security"
4. Enter current password
5. Enter new password twice
6. Click "Update Password"
7. You'll be logged out
8. Log back in with new password
Two-Factor Authentication (Coming Soon)
What is 2FA?
Extra security layer for your account:
- Requires password + verification code
- Code sent via SMS or app
- Even if password stolen, account protected
When Available:
- Enable in Security Settings
- Choose SMS or authenticator app
- Required for each login
- Backup codes provided
Benefits:
- Significantly more secure
- Prevents unauthorized access
- Peace of mind
- Industry best practice
Recognizing Phishing & Scams
Common Scams:
⚠️ Fake Emails:
- Claim to be from Royal Palm
- Ask for password or payment info
- Urgent language ("Act now!")
- Suspicious links
- Poor grammar/spelling
⚠️ Fake Websites:
- Look similar to royalpalmservices.com
- Slight domain variations (royal-palm, royalpalm, etc.)
- Request login credentials
- Steal your information
⚠️ Phone Scams:
- Caller claims to be Royal Palm
- Asks for account password
- Requests payment over phone
- Threatens account suspension
How to Identify Official Communication:
Legitimate Royal Palm Emails:
- From: @royalpalmservices.com
- Professional formatting
- No spelling errors
- Never ask for password
- Don't request immediate payment
- Include your name and booking details
We Will NEVER:
- ✗Ask for your password via email
- ✗Request full credit card number
- ✗Ask for Social Security Number via email
- ✗Threaten immediate account closure
- ✗Request wire transfers
- ✗Ask you to call external numbers for payment
- ✗Send links to external payment sites
If You Receive Suspicious Communication:
1. Don't Click Links:
- Don't download attachments
- Don't provide any information
- Don't call phone numbers in message
2. Verify Independently:
- Go directly to royalpalmservices.com
- Log in normally
- Call official support: (561) 555-0123
- Don't use numbers from suspicious message
3. Report It:
- Forward suspicious emails to security@royalpalmservices.com
- Report phishing attempts
- Help protect other users
- We'll investigate
Privacy Protection
What Information We Collect:
Basic Account Info:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Address(es)
- Payment methods
Service Information:
- Booking history
- Reviews you've written
- Messages with Pros
- Service preferences
Automatic Information:
- Device information
- IP address
- Browser type
- Usage data
What We Share:
With Pros (After Booking):
- Your first name
- Service address
- Phone number
- Service details
- Profile photo (if added)
With Pros (Before Booking):
- First name only
- City/neighborhood
- Review history
- Approximate location
Never Shared:
- Full address (until confirmed booking)
- Payment details
- Email address
- Sensitive personal info
Third-Party Sharing:
We share limited data with:
- Payment processors (credit card info)
- Background check providers (for Pro vetting)
- Analytics services (anonymized usage data)
- Communication services (message delivery)
We NEVER:
- Sell your personal information
- Share with marketers
- Provide to unrelated third parties
- Share without your consent (except as required by law)
Privacy Settings
Control Your Information:
Profile Visibility:
Public Information:
- First name and last initial
- City
- Member since date
- Review count
- Pro reviews you've left
Private Information:
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Payment info
- Full service history
Marketing Preferences:
Control promotional communications:
1. Go to Account Settings
2. Click "Communication Preferences"
3. Toggle on/off:
- Promotional emails
- Service recommendations
- Newsletter
- Partner offers
- SMS marketing
Note: You'll still receive important service-related emails (bookings, confirmations, receipts)
Data Download:
Request your data:
1. Go to Account Settings
2. Click "Privacy & Data"
3. Click "Download My Data"
4. Receive email with download link
5. Link expires in 7 days
Data Deletion:
Request data deletion:
1. Delete your account (permanent)
2. Data removed within 30 days
3. Some data retained for legal/accounting requirements
4. Cannot be undone
Protecting Yourself
During Services:
- ✓Keep Communication In-App:
- All messages through platform
- Creates record
- Monitored for safety
- Support can help with disputes
- ✗Don't:
- Share personal email
- Give out personal phone before booking
- Accept payment outside platform
- Meet Pros off-platform
Payment Security:
- ✓Always Pay Through App:
- Protected by platform
- Happiness Pledge applies
- Proper documentation
- Fraud protection
- ✗Never:
- Pay Pro directly
- Use cash for services
- Wire money
- Send payment outside app
- Share credit card details with Pro
Red Flags:
⚠️ Contact Support If Pro:
- Asks to communicate outside app
- Requests payment outside platform
- Wants personal banking info
- Asks to cancel and rebook elsewhere
- Seems suspicious in any way
Account Monitoring
Regular Review:
Check Monthly:
- Recent services
- Payment history
- Active payment methods
- Account settings
- Notification preferences
Look For:
- Unauthorized bookings
- Unknown charges
- Changed settings
- Suspicious messages
- Unfamiliar activity
Activity Log:
View your account activity:
1. Go to Account Settings
2. Click "Account Activity"
3. See recent:
- Logins
- Service bookings
- Profile changes
- Payment updates
- Password changes
Compromised Account
Signs Your Account May Be Compromised:
⚠️ Warning Signs:
- Can't log in with correct password
- Unfamiliar bookings in history
- Unknown charges on card
- Email/phone number changed
- Password reset you didn't request
- Messages you didn't send
Immediate Actions:
1. Try to Log In:
- Use "Forgot Password"
- Reset password immediately
- Check if email address changed
2. Contact Support Immediately:
- Call: (561) 555-0123
- Email: security@royalpalmservices.com
- Explain situation
- Provide account details
- Request account lock
3. Secure Your Email:
- Change email password
- Enable 2FA on email
- Check for unauthorized access
- Remove suspicious forwarding rules
4. Check Financial Accounts:
- Review credit card statements
- Report unauthorized charges
- Consider card replacement
- Monitor for fraud
5. Document Everything:
- Screenshot unusual activity
- Note dates/times
- Save suspicious emails
- Record losses
We Will:
- Lock your account immediately
- Investigate the breach
- Refund unauthorized charges
- Help secure your account
- Prevent future access by attacker
After Resolution:
- Create new strong password
- Enable 2FA (when available)
- Review security practices
- Monitor account closely
Location Privacy
Address Protection:
Before Booking:
- Only city/neighborhood shown
- Exact address hidden
- Cannot be seen by Pros
After Booking Confirmed:
- Full address provided to your Pro
- Necessary for service completion
- Pro has legitimate need
Multiple Addresses:
- Save home, work, vacation properties
- Choose which for each booking
- All protected equally
- Can add/remove anytime
Children's Privacy
Age Requirement:
- Must be 18+ to create account
- We don't knowingly collect data from minors
- Parent/guardian must create account
- Parents responsible for bookings
If Minor Created Account:
- Contact us immediately
- Account will be deleted
- Data removed
- Parent can create proper account
Your Rights
You Have the Right To:
- ✓Access your personal data
- ✓Correct inaccurate information
- ✓Delete your account
- ✓Export your data
- ✓Opt out of marketing
- ✓Control cookie preferences
- ✓File privacy complaints
Exercising Your Rights:
- Email: privacy@royalpalmservices.com
- Include: Name, email, specific request
- We'll respond within 30 days
- May need to verify identity
- Free of charge
Cookies & Tracking
How We Use Cookies:
Essential Cookies:
- Keep you logged in
- Remember preferences
- Security features
- Required for site function
Analytics Cookies:
- Understand how site is used
- Improve user experience
- Aggregate data only
- Can opt out
Marketing Cookies:
- Personalize ads
- Measure ad effectiveness
- Can be disabled
Managing Cookies:
1. Browser settings
2. Cookie preference center
3. Third-party opt-outs
4. Private browsing mode
Data Retention
How Long We Keep Data:
Active Account:
- While account is active
- Plus reasonable period after
- For legal/business purposes
After Account Deletion:
- Most data deleted within 30 days
- Some retained for:
- Fraud prevention
- Dispute resolution
- Regulatory compliance
Backups:
- Deleted from active systems immediately
- Backup systems within 90 days
- Technical necessity for disaster recovery
California Privacy Rights
CCPA Rights (California Residents):
You have the right to:
- Know what data we collect
- Know if we sell data (we don't)
- Request data deletion
- Opt out of data sales (N/A)
- Non-discrimination for exercising rights
How to Exercise:
- Email: privacy@royalpalmservices.com
- Call: (561) 555-0123
- Include: Name, email, CA address
- We'll verify and respond
International Users
Data Transfer:
- Data processed in United States
- Protected by our privacy policy
- Complies with applicable laws
- Adequate safeguards in place
Updates to Privacy Policy
We May Update Our Policies:
- To reflect new features
- To comply with laws
- To improve security
- To enhance privacy
We'll Notify You:
- Email to registered address
- Notice in app
- Updated policy posted online
- Significant changes highlighted
Contact Us
Security or Privacy Concerns?
Security Team:
- Email: security@royalpalmservices.com
- Phone: (561) 555-0123
- Available 24/7
- Fast response guaranteed
Privacy Team:
- Email: privacy@royalpalmservices.com
- Mail: Royal Palm Home Services
[Address]
Boca Raton, FL 33431
General Support:
- Email: support@royalpalmservices.com
- Phone: (561) 555-0123
- Live chat in app
- Help Center
Your security and privacy are our top priorities. We're here to help keep your account safe!