Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

5Junk.com ("5Junk," "Company," "we," "us," "our") operates a junk removal lead marketplace connecting customers with independent haulers. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you use our website and services (collectively, the "Platform").

By using the Platform, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Platform.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, password, and role (Customer or Hauler).
• Customer Request Data: Address/ZIP code, junk type, job description, urgency, access conditions, uploaded photos, and optional video walkthroughs. Video walkthroughs are automatically deleted within 48 hours after lead fulfillment for your privacy.
• Hauler Profile Data: Company name, service area (ZIP codes), service radius, preferred junk types, and notification preferences.
• Financial Data: Credit purchase history, lead claim records, and dispute records. Payment processing is handled by Stripe, our PCI-DSS compliant third-party payment processor. We do not store full credit card numbers or banking details.
• Review Data: Ratings, written feedback, and associated reviewer information submitted through our review system.
• Referral Data: Referral codes, referral relationships, and referral reward records for haulers participating in the referral program.
• Communications: Messages exchanged between Customers and Haulers through our in-platform messaging system, and contact form submissions.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device & Browser Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, time stamps, clicks, and referring URLs.
• Location Data: Approximate location derived from IP address and ZIP codes you provide.
• Cookies & Tracking: We use cookies and similar technologies to maintain sessions, remember preferences, and analyze Platform usage.

2.3 Fraud Detection Data

We collect and analyze behavioral signals — including submission frequency, email domain patterns, phone number characteristics, and IP address reputation — to detect and prevent fraudulent or abusive submissions. This data is stored in fraud logs and may be retained for up to 2 years.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• Platform Operations: To create and manage your account, process requests, match customers with Haulers, facilitate claims, process payments, and manage the credits system.
• Lead Marketplace: To evaluate requests, assign quality scores, distribute them to appropriate Haulers based on location and preferences, and facilitate quoting and hauler selection.
• Communications: To send transactional emails and SMS notifications (new leads, claim confirmations, low balance alerts, dispute resolutions, review invitations, hauler selection confirmations), and Platform updates.
• Reviews & Ratings: To collect, display, and aggregate customer reviews to help other customers and improve hauler accountability.
• Referral Program: To track referrals, validate referral eligibility, and distribute referral rewards.
• Fraud Prevention: To detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent or abusive activity on the Platform.
• Analytics & Improvement: To analyze usage patterns, improve Platform features, and optimize pricing and matching algorithms.
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or government requests.

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 Lead Data Shared with Haulers

When a Hauler claims a Customer's request, certain Customer information is shared depending on the claim type. For standard claims, haulers receive job details and can communicate through our messaging system; full contact information is shared only after the customer selects a hauler. For exclusive claims, full contact information is shared immediately. This is the core function of the Platform and is necessary to deliver our services.

4.2 Reviews

Customer reviews, including ratings and written feedback, are visible to Haulers and may be used in aggregate to calculate hauler ratings. Reviewer names associated with reviews may be displayed to the hauler.

4.3 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist in operating the Platform, including:

• Cloud hosting and data storage providers.
• Payment processors (Stripe) for credit purchases.
• Email and SMS notification services.
• Analytics and monitoring tools.

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, subpoena, or government regulation, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, prevent fraud, or ensure Platform safety.

4.5 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your personal information may be transferred to the successor entity.

5. Data Retention

• Account Data: Retained for as long as your account is active, plus 1 year after deletion.
• Lead & Request Data: Retained for up to 2 years after submission for analytics, dispute resolution, and legal purposes.
• Transaction & Payment Records: Retained for 7 years for financial and tax compliance.
• Review Data: Retained for the lifetime of the reviewed hauler's account, plus 1 year after account deletion.
• Referral Records: Retained for 3 years for program tracking and fraud prevention.
• Fraud Logs: Retained for up to 2 years to maintain fraud prevention effectiveness.
• Messages: In-platform messages are retained for 1 year after the associated lead is closed.
• Usage/Analytics Data: Retained in aggregated/anonymized form indefinitely.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest.
• Secure password hashing (bcrypt).
• Role-based access controls.
• PCI-DSS compliant payment processing through Stripe.
• Regular security reviews and monitoring.

However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

7. Your Rights & Choices

7.1 All Users

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data, subject to legal retention requirements.
• Opt-Out of Communications: Manage email and SMS notification preferences in your account settings.

7.2 California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected, used, and shared.
• Right to delete personal information.
• Right to opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information.
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights.

We do not sell personal information as defined under CCPA. The sharing of lead data with Haulers is a necessary service function, not a "sale" of data.

7.3 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, email us at [email protected]. We will respond within 45 days. We may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests.

8. Cookies

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for authentication, security, and basic Platform functionality.
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences (e.g., notification settings, service area).
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how you use the Platform to improve our services.

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may impair Platform functionality.

9. Third-Party Links

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services (including our payment processor, Stripe). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

10. Children's Privacy

The Platform is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will promptly delete it.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top and, where appropriate, notify you via email or Platform notice. Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, contact us at: