Privacy Policy
How HOAPnet collects, uses, and protects your personal information — and your rights under applicable state law.
Plain language summary: HOAPnet collects only the information needed to connect you with free foreclosure counseling. We do not sell your information. We do not share it with advertisers. We use it only to help you.
1. Who We Are
HOAPnet — Homeowner Assistance Program ("HOAPnet," "we," "us," or "our") is a privately owned organization headquartered at 15 Artisan Ave., Huntington, NY 11743. We operate the website at hoapnet.com and provide free foreclosure prevention counseling to homeowners across New York, North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website or contact us for assistance.
HOAPnet is not a law firm, government agency, or nonprofit. HOAP Homeowner Counselors are New York State Licensed Real Estate Salespersons. HOAPnet is not affiliated with the New York State Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) or the NY State Homeowner Assistance Fund (NYS HAF).
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
When you contact us, fill out a consultation form, or communicate with a HOAP Counselor, we may collect:
- Full name and contact information (phone number, email address, mailing address)
- Property address and ownership information
- Mortgage account details (lender name, loan number, payment status)
- Financial hardship information you choose to share (job loss, medical situation, divorce)
- Foreclosure notices or court documents you provide to your counselor
- Communications with HOAPnet via phone, email, or web form
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit hoapnet.com, we automatically collect limited technical data including:
- IP address and general geographic location (city/state level)
- Browser type and operating system
- Pages viewed and time spent on each page
- Referring website (how you found us)
- Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)
This data is used only for website analytics and performance improvements. It is not linked to your name or identity.
2.3 Information from Third Parties
In limited circumstances, a HOAP Counselor may receive information about you from:
- Your mortgage servicer or lender (during active negotiation on your behalf)
- A referring organization or housing agency that directed you to HOAPnet
- Public property records (county assessor or court records related to your foreclosure case)
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect only to provide free foreclosure prevention services. Specifically, we use your information to:
- Assign a HOAP Homeowner Counselor to your case
- Review your financial situation and identify available options
- Communicate with your mortgage servicer or lender on your behalf
- Prepare loss mitigation applications, short sale packages, and other documents
- Refer you to attorneys, HUD-approved counselors, or other appropriate resources
- Follow up with you about your case status
- Comply with applicable legal obligations
- Improve the quality of our services
We do not sell your personal information. We do not share your information with advertisers, data brokers, or marketing companies. We do not use your information for targeted advertising of any kind.
4. How We Share Your Information
HOAPnet shares your personal information only in the following limited circumstances:
4.1 With Your Consent
When you ask a HOAP Counselor to contact your lender, attorney, or another party on your behalf, you are authorizing us to share relevant information with that party. You may withdraw this authorization at any time.
4.2 Service Providers
We work with a small number of service providers who help us operate our website and services — including web hosting, email communication, and document management. These providers are contractually required to protect your information and may only use it to perform services for HOAPnet.
4.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, court order, or government authority — or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of HOAPnet, our clients, or the public.
4.4 Business Transfers
If HOAPnet is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on our website before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
5. Your State Privacy Rights
HOAPnet operates in multiple states. Depending on where you live, you may have specific rights regarding your personal information:
New York residents have rights under the NY SHIELD Act (Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security Act). We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your data. You have the right to be notified promptly in the event of a data breach affecting your private information. New York does not currently have a comprehensive consumer privacy law, but HOAPnet voluntarily extends the access and deletion rights described below to all NY residents.
North Carolina residents have rights under the NC Identity Theft Protection Act. You have the right to be notified in the event of a security breach involving your personal information. HOAPnet voluntarily extends access, correction, and deletion rights to all NC residents.
Florida residents have rights under the Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA) and the Florida Digital Bill of Rights (effective July 1, 2024). Florida residents have the right to: (1) access their personal data; (2) correct inaccurate data; (3) delete their personal data; (4) opt out of the sale of personal data (HOAPnet does not sell data); and (5) not be subject to discrimination for exercising these rights. To make a request, contact us at info@hoapnet.com.
South Carolina residents have rights under the SC Identity Theft Protection Act and applicable federal privacy laws. You have the right to be notified in the event of a data breach. HOAPnet voluntarily extends access and deletion rights to all SC residents upon written request.
Georgia residents have rights under the Georgia Personal Identity Protection Act. You have the right to be notified in the event of a security breach. HOAPnet voluntarily extends access, correction, and deletion rights to all GA residents upon request.
Alabama residents have rights under the Alabama Data Breach Notification Act (effective May 1, 2018). You have the right to receive timely notification in the event of a breach involving your sensitive personal information. HOAPnet voluntarily extends access and deletion rights to all AL residents upon request.
5.1 Exercising Your Rights (All States)
Regardless of your state of residence, you may at any time:
- Access — Request a copy of the personal information HOAPnet holds about you
- Correct — Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information
- Delete — Request that we delete your personal information, subject to any legal retention requirements
- Withdraw consent — Revoke your authorization for HOAPnet to contact your lender or other parties on your behalf at any time
- Opt out of communications — Unsubscribe from any HOAPnet email communications at any time
To exercise any of these rights, email us at info@hoapnet.com or call (516) 336-9293. We will respond within 30 days.
6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies
HOAPnet uses a small number of cookies and similar tracking technologies to operate and improve our website:
Essential Cookies
These are required for the website to function and cannot be disabled. They include session cookies that remember your form progress and security tokens that protect against spam submissions.
Analytics Cookies
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website — which pages are most helpful, where visitors come from, and how long they stay. This data is aggregated and anonymized. Google Analytics data is not linked to your name or contact information. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking at any time using Google's opt-out browser add-on.
No Advertising Cookies
HOAPnet does not use advertising cookies, retargeting pixels, or any tracking technology that enables third-party advertisers to follow you across the internet.
You can control cookie settings through your browser. Disabling cookies may affect some website functionality but will not prevent you from contacting HOAPnet for help.
7. Data Security
HOAPnet takes the security of your personal information seriously. We implement the following safeguards:
- Encryption: Our website uses SSL/TLS encryption (HTTPS) for all data transmitted between your browser and our server
- Access controls: Personal information is accessible only to HOAP Counselors and staff who need it to provide services to you
- Secure storage: Case files and personal information are stored in password-protected, access-controlled systems
- Employee training: All HOAPnet staff are trained on data privacy and confidentiality obligations
No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. If you believe your information has been compromised, contact us immediately at info@hoapnet.com.
8. Data Retention
HOAPnet retains your personal information for as long as necessary to provide services to you and comply with legal obligations. Specifically:
- Active cases: Information is retained for the duration of your case plus 5 years after resolution, in case of future inquiries or legal requirements
- Inquiries that did not become cases: Contact information is retained for 12 months, after which it is deleted unless you request otherwise
- Website analytics data: Aggregated analytics data is retained for up to 26 months
You may request deletion of your information at any time (see Section 5). We will comply unless retention is required by law.
9. Minors
HOAPnet's services are intended for adults (18 years of age and older) who own or have an interest in real property. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18. If you believe a minor has submitted information to us, please contact us at info@hoapnet.com and we will delete it promptly.
10. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to external resources — such as government housing agencies, HUD-approved counseling organizations, and legal aid resources. When you click these links, you leave HOAPnet's website and are subject to the privacy policies of those third-party sites. HOAPnet is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
HOAPnet may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or the states in which we operate. When we make material changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
- Post a notice on our homepage for 30 days following any significant change
- Where required by law, notify affected users directly by email
We encourage you to review this page periodically. Your continued use of HOAPnet's services after any change constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us:
HOAPnet Privacy Contact
We respond to all privacy inquiries within 30 days.
📧 info@hoapnet.com
📞 (516) 336-9293
📬 15 Artisan Ave., Huntington, NY 11743