Privacy Policy

This policy explains what information Maryland Local Merchants collects through this website, why we collect it, and what we do with it. We have tried to write it in plain English rather than boilerplate.

Who we are

Maryland Local Merchants is an independent merchant services brokerage serving businesses in Maryland. We are not a bank and we are not a payment processor. We compare payment processing offers on behalf of business owners and introduce them to third-party providers.

What we collect

We only collect information you choose to give us. Depending on what you send, that may include:

• Your name, business name, and role
• Contact details such as email address and phone number
• Business details such as industry, location, and how you accept payments
• Payment processing statements and related documents you send us for review
• Basic technical information your browser provides automatically, such as IP address, device type, and pages visited

We do not ask for and do not want full payment card numbers, bank account credentials, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive identifiers through this website. Please do not send them through the form.

Why we collect it

• To calculate your effective rate and prepare a rate review
• To request competing offers from providers on your behalf
• To contact you about your request and answer your questions
• To improve how this website works
• To meet legal and record-keeping obligations

Who we share it with

To do the job you have asked us to do, we share relevant business information with payment providers so they can price an offer. We share only what is needed for that purpose.

We also use service providers that operate parts of our business, such as website hosting, email, and customer relationship management. They may process your information on our behalf and are expected to protect it.

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not rent or trade contact lists.

We may disclose information if required by law, or to establish or defend legal claims.

How long we keep it

We keep enquiry and rate review records for as long as needed to provide the service and to meet business and legal record-keeping requirements. If you would like your information removed, contact us through the form on this site and we will handle it.

How we protect it

This site is served over an encrypted connection, and access to the documents you send us is limited to people who need it. No system is perfectly secure, but we take reasonable steps appropriate to the sensitivity of what we hold.

Cookies and analytics

This site may use cookies and similar technologies to keep the site working properly and to understand how visitors use it. Most browsers let you refuse or delete cookies through their settings. Refusing cookies may affect how parts of the site behave.

If advertising or analytics tools are used on this site, they may set their own cookies and collect usage data under their own privacy policies.

Your choices

• You can ask us what information we hold about you
• You can ask us to correct anything inaccurate
• You can ask us to delete your information, subject to any records we are required to keep
• You can opt out of marketing messages at any time; we will still reply to enquiries you start

Children

This site is intended for business owners and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18.

Changes to this policy

If we change this policy we will update the date at the top of this page. Material changes will be made clear on the site.

Contact

Questions about this policy, or requests about your information, can be sent through the form on any page of this site.