Last Updated: December 1, 2024
Our Use of Cookies
This Cookie Policy explains how AC Shore Financial ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website and use our services. This policy helps you understand what cookies are, why we use them, and how you can control them.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used by website owners to make their websites work more efficiently and to provide reporting information.
1.1 First-Party Cookies
These are cookies set by AC Shore Financial directly. We use these cookies to enable essential website functionality and to remember your preferences.
1.2 Third-Party Cookies
These are cookies set by our partners and service providers. They help us analyze website traffic, provide customer support, and deliver relevant advertising.
2. Types of Cookies We Use
2.1 Essential Cookies (Required)
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services.
- • Authentication cookies - Keep you logged into your account
- • Security cookies - Detect authentication abuse and protect user data
- • Session cookies - Remember your preferences during your visit
- • Load balancing cookies - Distribute traffic across our servers
- • User interface cookies - Remember your language and display preferences
2.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us know which pages are the most and least popular.
- • Google Analytics - Track website usage and user behavior
- • Hotjar - Understand user interactions through heatmaps
- • Mixpanel - Analyze user engagement and retention
- • Performance monitoring - Track page load times and errors
- • A/B testing - Test different versions of pages
2.3 Functionality Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages.
- • Chat support cookies - Enable live customer support
- • Video player cookies - Remember playback preferences
- • Social media cookies - Enable social sharing features
- • Personalization cookies - Remember your settings and preferences
- • Location cookies - Provide location-based services
2.4 Advertising and Marketing Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant ads on other sites.
- • Google Ads - Display targeted advertising
- • Facebook Pixel - Track conversions and retarget users
- • LinkedIn Insight - Business advertising and analytics
- • Twitter conversion tracking - Measure ad effectiveness
- • Retargeting cookies - Show relevant ads across the web
3. Cookie Details and Duration
3.1 Session Cookies
These temporary cookies expire when you close your browser. They help us remember your actions during your browsing session.
3.2 Persistent Cookies
These cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. They help us remember your preferences for future visits.
4. Other Tracking Technologies
4.1 Web Beacons (Pixels)
Small graphic images that track whether you have visited a particular web page or opened an email. We use pixels for analytics and advertising purposes.
4.2 Local Storage
Similar to cookies but can store larger amounts of data. We use local storage to improve performance and remember your preferences.
4.3 Fingerprinting
We collect information about your device configuration (browser type, screen resolution, installed fonts) to detect fraud and enhance security. This is not used for advertising.
4.4 Server Logs
We automatically collect certain information including IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and pages visited. This helps us maintain and improve our services.
5. Why We Use Cookies
5.1 Essential Operations
We use cookies to:
- • Enable you to use our services and access your account
- • Remember your login details and authentication status
- • Process your transactions securely
- • Detect and prevent fraud and security threats
- • Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
5.2 Performance and Improvement
We use cookies to:
- • Understand how you use our website and services
- • Identify and fix technical issues
- • Test new features and improvements
- • Optimize website performance and speed
- • Analyze user behavior and preferences
5.3 Personalization
We use cookies to:
- • Remember your language and currency preferences
- • Customize content based on your interests
- • Provide location-specific services
- • Remember your display and accessibility settings
5.4 Marketing and Advertising
We use cookies to:
- • Show you relevant advertisements
- • Measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
- • Prevent you from seeing the same ad repeatedly
- • Understand your interests for better targeting
6. How to Control Cookies
⚙️ You Have Control
You can manage your cookie preferences at any time.
6.1 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:
- • View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
- • Block third-party cookies
- • Block all cookies from specific websites
- • Delete all cookies when you close your browser
- • Enable "Do Not Track" in your browser
6.2 Our Cookie Preference Center
When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie banner allowing you to accept or reject different categories of cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer.
6.3 Browser-Specific Instructions
For detailed instructions on managing cookies, visit:
- • Google Chrome: chrome://settings/cookies
- • Mozilla Firefox: about:preferences#privacy
- • Safari: Preferences > Privacy
- • Microsoft Edge: edge://settings/privacy
- • Opera: opera://settings/privacy
6.4 Mobile Devices
For mobile devices, you can control tracking through your device settings:
- • iOS: Settings > Privacy > Tracking
- • Android: Settings > Google > Ads
6.5 Opting Out of Advertising
To opt out of interest-based advertising, visit:
- • Digital Advertising Alliance: optout.aboutads.info
- • Network Advertising Initiative: optout.networkadvertising.org
- • European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance: youronlinechoices.eu
7. Impact of Disabling Cookies
If you disable cookies, please note that:
- • You may not be able to use all features of our website
- • You may need to manually adjust some preferences every visit
- • Some pages may not display or function correctly
- • You may not be able to log into your account
- • Transaction processing may be affected
⚠️ Note: Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they are necessary for the website to function.
8. Cookies and Personal Data
Some cookies contain personal data. The information collected through cookies is governed by our Privacy Policy. We process cookie data in accordance with applicable data protection laws including GDPR and CCPA.
8.1 Data Retention
Cookie data is retained for different periods depending on the type:
- • Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
- • Authentication cookies: 30 days
- • Analytics cookies: 24 months
- • Advertising cookies: 12 months
- • Preference cookies: 12 months
9. Third-Party Cookies
We work with the following third-party service providers who may set cookies:
9.1 Analytics Providers
- • Google Analytics - Web analytics (privacy policy: policies.google.com/privacy)
- • Hotjar - User behavior analytics (privacy policy: hotjar.com/privacy)
- • Mixpanel - Product analytics (privacy policy: mixpanel.com/legal/privacy-policy)
9.2 Advertising Partners
- • Google Ads - Advertising platform (privacy policy: policies.google.com/privacy)
- • Facebook - Social media advertising (privacy policy: facebook.com/privacy)
- • LinkedIn - Professional advertising (privacy policy: linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy)
9.3 Customer Support
- • Intercom - Live chat support (privacy policy: intercom.com/legal/privacy)
- • Zendesk - Help desk (privacy policy: zendesk.com/privacy)
10. Children's Privacy
Our services are not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from children through cookies. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with information, please contact us.
11. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Cookie Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.
13. Additional Resources
For more information about cookies and how to manage them, visit:
- • All About Cookies: allaboutcookies.org
- • ICO Cookie Guide: ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/cookies
- • GDPR Compliance: gdpr.eu
✓ By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this Cookie Policy. You can withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your cookie preferences.