SMS privacy policy

How you receive messages

You may receive SMS messages from TradeGuard if:

• A general contractor adds you to their TradeGuard account and initiates an onboarding invitation that includes your phone number, or
• You provide your phone number directly to TradeGuard through the subcontractor portal and consent to receive SMS communications.

By providing your mobile phone number, you consent to receive transactional SMS messages from TradeGuard related to your compliance status, document requirements, background check results, service agreements, and account activity.

Message frequency

Message frequency varies based on your activity and the requirements of the general contractor(s) you work with. You may receive messages for new invitations, document expiration reminders, status updates, follow-ups, and account notifications.

Message and data rates

Message and data rates may apply. TradeGuard does not charge for SMS messages, but your wireless carrier's standard messaging rates apply to all messages sent and received.

Opt-out

You can opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any message you receive from TradeGuard. After replying STOP, you will receive one final confirmation message and no further SMS communications from TradeGuard.

To resume messages after opting out, reply START.

For assistance, reply HELP at any time, or contact TradeGuard support at support@tradeguardins.com or +1 (913) 675-1393.

Supported carriers

TradeGuard SMS messages are supported on major U.S. wireless carriers including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and other smaller regional carriers. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

Information collected through SMS

When you receive or send SMS messages with TradeGuard, we collect and retain:

• Your mobile phone number
• The content and timestamp of messages sent and received
• Records of your consent to receive messages, and any opt-out requests
• Delivery status and engagement data (e.g., link clicks)

This information is used solely to deliver the TradeGuard service, maintain audit records for compliance purposes, and improve message deliverability.

Information sharing

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information sharing to subcontractors [meaning service providers/vendors who help us operate the platform] is permitted to support the underlying services, including SMS delivery providers such as Twilio. All other use, sharing, or disclosure of mobile information will comply with the categories described in this privacy policy.

We share mobile phone numbers and related message data only with:

• SMS delivery providers (e.g., Twilio) strictly to send the messages described above.
• The general contractor(s) you are associated with on the platform, to the extent necessary for them to manage compliance workflows involving you.
• Legal and regulatory authorities when required by law, subpoena, or to defend our legal rights.

We do not sell mobile phone numbers, message content, or opt-in data, and we do not share this information with advertisers or marketing partners.

Data retention

We retain SMS communication records, consent records, and opt-out requests for as long as necessary to provide the service and to meet our legal, regulatory, and audit obligations, including obligations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the E-SIGN Act. Consent and opt-out records are retained on a permanent, immutable audit log to demonstrate compliance.

Questions

For questions about TradeGuard's SMS practices or this section of the privacy policy, contact: