1. Introduction and company identification
This website privacy policy describes the information ST FIN CORP dba Star Financial ("Star Financial," "we," "us," or "our") may collect through our website and residential mortgage services, the purposes for which it may be used, and how to contact us with privacy questions. Our website is https://starfinancial.ai. Our address is 23330 Mill Creek Dr., Suite 250, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.
This policy is separate from any financial privacy notice provided in connection with a mortgage application or customer relationship under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). Those notices describe applicable financial-information sharing practices and any available opt-out choices. Where a separate notice or authorization governs a particular service, review it together with this policy.
2. Personal information we collect
Depending on your interaction with us, information may include:
- Contact and identifying information, such as your name, email, telephone number, address, and preferred contact method.
- Information you provide in inquiries, lead forms, account registration, correspondence, uploaded documents, or mortgage-assistant conversations.
- Property information, loan purpose, requested financing, and other information needed to respond to a mortgage inquiry.
- Website interaction information, such as IP address, browser and device information, pages visited, referral information, and cookie or similar identifiers.
Please do not send Social Security numbers, account credentials, or sensitive financial documents through general contact forms, ordinary email, or the website mortgage assistant.
3. Information collected during mortgage applications
A mortgage application may require identification, date of birth, Social Security or taxpayer identification number, employment and income, assets, liabilities, housing history, property details, tax returns, bank statements, and supporting documents. Information about a co-borrower or other person should be provided only when you are authorized to do so.
Application forms may also request demographic information for legally required monitoring or reporting. The form's instructions explain whether a response is required or voluntary and how that information is used.
4. How we use personal information
Information may be used to respond to requests, connect you with a licensed loan officer, administer accounts, evaluate and process applications, verify documentation, underwrite, fund, service or transfer loans where applicable, communicate about your transaction, maintain required records, prevent fraud, and fulfill legal obligations. Website interaction information may be used to maintain the website and understand its performance.
Marketing communications and any related permissions are addressed through the applicable notices and choices. Whether a particular practice constitutes a sale or sharing for targeted advertising under state law depends on that practice and applicable law. Refer to the applicable disclosures for information about those practices and your choices.
5. Consumer authorization and consent
Where authorization or consent is required, you will be presented with the applicable request and notices for that activity. These may include credit-report authorization, electronic communications, identity verification, or financial-account connections. Simply visiting the website, opening this policy, or reading it is not consent to connect an account, obtain a credit report, or receive marketing communications.
Read each authorization before agreeing. You may ask us about withdrawing an authorization; available options and any effect on your application depend on the activity, applicable law, and the authorization's terms.
6. Identity verification and fraud prevention
Mortgage lending may involve verifying identity and submitted information, comparing records, requesting additional documents, and reviewing potential fraud indicators. Where enabled for a particular service and authorized as applicable, Star Financial may use third-party providers, including Plaid, for identity verification, bank-account verification, fraud prevention, and related mortgage lending purposes. Naming a provider does not mean that every applicant uses that provider.
7. Bank-account verification and financial data connections
If a financial-account connection is offered, the connection screen and provider notices will identify the information requested and its mortgage-related purpose before you initiate the connection. Depending on the service and your authorization, requested information may include account ownership, account type, balances, transactions, or income-related records used to verify financial information.
You will be presented with applicable notices and authorization requests before connecting financial accounts. Review the requested access, accounts, provider terms, and available controls. Connecting an account is a separate action from viewing this policy. Do not share online banking passwords with a Star Financial employee or enter them in a general website form. Ask your loan officer about alternatives if you do not wish to use a connection service; available alternatives depend on the loan and verification requirements.
8. Credit reports and credit information
Credit information may be obtained from authorized consumer reporting agencies or credit providers when there is a permissible purpose and any required authorization has been obtained. The applicable request explains the purpose of a credit inquiry. Do not assume that every inquiry is a soft inquiry or that an inquiry cannot affect your credit score. Consumer reporting agencies provide their own procedures for disputing information in a credit report.
9. Information sharing with authorized parties
As appropriate for the requested transaction and permitted by law, information may be disclosed to service providers supporting mortgage origination, verification, underwriting, document processing, communications, or servicing; credit and verification providers; appraisers; title, settlement, and escrow providers; insurers; investors, purchasers, or servicers; and other parties you authorize.
Information may also be disclosed in response to applicable legal requirements, examinations, lawful requests, or to address suspected fraud and protect legal rights. Separate mortgage privacy notices describe relevant financial-information sharing and opt-out provisions. Refer to applicable provider notices and state-specific disclosures for information about provider practices and any sale or advertising-related sharing of consumer information.
10. Data security and encryption
Protecting consumer information is important to Star Financial. Questions about safeguards, access controls, or encryption for a particular channel can be directed to our privacy contact. This policy does not assert a particular encryption specification, security certification, audit result, or guarantee of security. No method of transmission or storage is free of risk.
Use the designated application or document-upload channel for sensitive records. Protect your sign-in credentials, use a trusted device, and promptly report suspected unauthorized access.
11. Data retention and secure disposal
Retention and disposal of mortgage and inquiry records are subject to applicable recordkeeping requirements, transaction needs, dispute resolution, and legal holds. A privacy request may not require deletion of records that must be retained. This policy does not promise a fixed retention period or a specific disposal method; contact us about the requirements applicable to your records.
12. Cookies and website analytics
The website may use cookies, browser storage, and similar technologies to support sessions, save preferences, measure visits and campaign activity, and understand website performance. Third-party tools may receive technical information about interactions, subject to their notices and any applicable choices.
Where the website presents cookie or advertising choices, use those controls to review or change your selection. Browser settings may also restrict cookies or clear stored data, which can affect sign-in or saved preferences. Controls offered on a particular page apply as described there and should not be assumed to govern every third-party website.
13. Consumer privacy rights and requests
Depending on your state, the information involved, and applicable exemptions, you may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, or a copy of information, or to exercise applicable opt-out or consent choices. Requests can be sent to compliance@starfincorp.com or made by telephone at (888) 671-7885.
We may need to verify your identity or an authorized agent's authority before responding. Please describe your request without emailing sensitive account numbers or identification documents. Applicable deadlines, exceptions, appeal rights, and required verification depend on the law governing the request. Marketing SMS may offer a STOP option; marketing email may provide an unsubscribe link. Transactional or legally required communications may continue where permitted.
14. California privacy disclosures and applicable state rights
California and other state privacy laws may provide additional rights, subject to their scope and exemptions. Certain information processed in connection with financial services may be subject to GLBA or other financial privacy laws and exempt from some state privacy provisions; such exemptions do not necessarily apply to every website interaction.
Where applicable, rights may include knowing or accessing categories and specific information, correction, deletion, portability, limits on certain uses of sensitive information, and opting out of a legally defined sale, sharing, or targeted advertising. Applicable law may prohibit discrimination for exercising rights and provide an appeal process. Contact us to request the disclosures and choices applicable to your circumstances, including treatment of recognized opt-out preference signals where legally required.
15. Third-party websites and integrations
Links or integrations may direct you to third-party application, verification, financial-account, or other services. Those services have their own privacy notices, terms, and authorization processes. Review them before providing information. This policy does not describe or guarantee a third party's practices. Star Financial's lending activities are distinct from those of independently operated escrow companies, including Lion Heart Escrow Inc.
16. Children's privacy
The website and mortgage services are intended for adults and are not directed to children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the website, contact us so the matter can be reviewed.
17. Changes to this policy
The effective date above identifies when this version of the policy takes effect. When this policy is updated, the effective date will be revised. Additional notice will be provided where required by applicable law. This policy does not replace a separate mortgage privacy notice or an authorization you receive during a transaction.
18. Contact information
ST FIN CORP dba Star Financial
NMLS #1429 · DFPI License #603C571
23330 Mill Creek Dr., Suite 250
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Website: starfinancial.ai
Privacy contact: compliance@starfincorp.com
Telephone: (888) 671-7885
Equal Housing Lender · Equal Housing Opportunity · Not a commitment to lend.