If you visit our Web sites to browse, read, or download information:

• We automatically collect and store: the name of the domain and host from which you access the Internet; the Internet protocol (IP) address of the computer you are using; the browser software you use and your operating system; the date and time you access our sites; and the Internet address of the site from which you linked directly to our sites.
• We use this information only as anonymous aggregate data to determine the number of visitors to different sections of our sites, to ensure the sites are working properly, and to help us make our sites more useful. We do not use it to track or record information about individuals. Generally, we delete this information after one year.
• We do not use persistent “cookies*” or tracking mechanisms that collect personally identifying information on our sites. Our site uses session cookies to anonymously collect a visitor’s navigation choices. Session cookies are temporary files that are erased when you close all browsers. We use these session cookies for site management purposes, and they are deleted when you leave our site. Accepting session cookies on our site is voluntary; you may still use the site if you decline cookies. We also make use of a cookie to store your property portfolio choices. This cookie is set to expire after 3 months, but can be manually deleted should you wish to do so. Alternatively, you can click to remove these properties from your portfolio. Once your portfolio is empty, the cookie is automatically deleted. Please note that we do not make use of, or share, the information stored in this cookie.

If you choose to identify yourself when you call us, write to us, send us email, or use our secure online forms.

Information We Collect:

• We collect any personally identifying information, such as your name, street address, email address, and phone number, and any other information you provide to us.
• In accordance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), when a visitor files a complaint online and indicates an age under 13, no personally identifying information is collected in conjunction with that submission.

How We Use and Disclose Information

If you choose to provide personally identifying information to us, we will use and disclose it as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not provide your name or other identifying information, it may be impossible for us to refer, respond to, or investigate your complaint or request. We may share your information with contractors acting on our behalf, such as call center operators and redress administrators, who are subject to confidentiality agreements.

In other circumstances, including Freedom of Information Act requests from private individuals or companies, during litigation, for routine agency uses subject to the Privacy Act, or under our access and public record rules, we may be required or authorized by law to disclose the information you provide.

*Cookie

A “cookie” is a small text file that a Web site can place on your computer’s hard drive in order, for example, to collect information about your activities on the site or to make it possible for you to use an online “shopping cart” to keep track of items you wish to purchase. The cookie transmits this information back to the Web site’s computer which, generally speaking, is the only computer that can read it.

Many consumers do not know that “cookies” are being placed on their computers when they visit Web sites. If you want to know when this happens, or to prevent it from happening, you can set your browser to warn you when a Web site attempts to place a “cookie” on your computer.