This is the privacy policy of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“TCEC”). This document explains TCEC’s policies for the collection, use, disclosure, safeguarding, retention, and destruction of personal information. By accessing this website, you agree, without limitation or qualification, to be bound by this Privacy Policy.

Scope of This Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to:

  • Applicants for electric service, members and former members
  • Website and mobile application users
  • Employees and job applicants
  • Contractors and vendors
  • Users of internal and external cooperative systems

This Policy governs information collected through:

  • Electric service operations
  • Billing and payment systems
  • Websites and mobile applications
  • Member communications
  • Internal employee systems
  • Human Resources processes

Florida Public Records Notice

TCEC is subject to applicable provisions of Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.

Under Florida law, certain communications and records may constitute public records. However, exemptions may apply, including but not limited to:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Financial account numbers
  • Utility customer account information
  • Security system plans
  • Critical infrastructure information

The Information We Collect

TCEC collects information directly from individuals, from third-party service providers, from credit reporting agencies (where permitted by law), and through automated technologies.

The types of personal information we collect include, but are not limited to:

  • Name
  • Service and mailing address
  • Email address
  • Telephone number
  • Driver’s license number
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Payment and billing information
  • Credit information (where permitted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act)
  • Electric usage and smart meter data
  • Account history and communications

We may collect website and mobile application information, including IP address, browser type, cookies, device identifiers, and online payment activity. This information is anonymous and refers to data that cannot be tied back to a specific individual.

For employees and job applicants, we may collect employment applications, background check information, payroll data, tax information, benefits enrollment information, performance evaluations, and internal system usage logs.

We may record calls for quality assurance, training, dispute resolution, fraud prevention, and compliance purposes.

How We Use This Information

We use personal information for legitimate business purposes, including:

  • Providing electric service
  • Billing and collections
  • Credit evaluation
  • Member communications
  • Outage response and grid management
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Human resources administration
  • Payroll and benefits administration
  • Security and fraud prevention
  • System monitoring and cybersecurity
  • Training and quality assurance
  • Marketing of cooperative services (where permitted by law)

We may use aggregated or de-identified information for operational and analytical purposes.

If credit reports are used, such use complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Communications / TCPA / CAN-SPAM / SMS and Text Messaging

TCEC may send billing notices, outage alerts, newsletters, service updates, and SMS notifications.

In compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA):

  • Consent may be required for certain automated calls or text messages.
  • Consent may be revoked at any time.
  • Message and data rates may apply.

In compliance with the CAN-SPAM Act:

  • Marketing emails will include an unsubscribe mechanism.

In compliance with SMS and Text Messaging Procedures:

  • TCEC offers an SMS text alert program to keep members informed about outages, restoration updates, storm alerts, planned maintenance, account information, and cooperative news. Participation is voluntary.
  • Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Members may opt out at any time by replying STOP, END, QUIT, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, REVOKE, or OPTOUT to any message from TCEC. Members may contact our office at any time for assistance.
  • No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information sharing with subcontractors that support our SMS program (such as our messaging platform provider) is permitted solely to deliver service. All other use case categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

Who We Share This Information With

TCEC may disclose personal information to:

  • Employees with a legitimate business need
  • Contractors and service providers bound by confidentiality obligations
  • Payment processors
  • IT and cybersecurity vendors
  • Credit reporting agencies
  • Government agencies or law enforcement when required by law
  • Regulators
  • Successors in merger or asset acquisition transactions

TCEC does not sell personal information.

Security

TCEC maintains administrative, technical, and physical safeguards consistent with applicable law, including the Florida Information Protection Act (§501.171, Fla. Stat.).  Security measures include encryption, authentication controls, network monitoring, auditing, incident response planning, and secure disposal procedures.

No system can guarantee absolute security.

  1. The site operator maintains its website and its information with technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect against loss, unauthorized access, destruction, misuse, modification, and improper disclosure. We are committed to maintaining accurate, timely, relevant, and appropriate information about our users. No computer or mobile operating system can ever be fully protected against every possible hazard. We provide reasonable and appropriate security to protect against foreseeable hazards.
  2. Please note that your email, like most, if not all, non-encrypted Internet email communications, may be accessed and viewed by other internet users, without your knowledge or permission, while in transit to us. For that reason, to protect your privacy, please do not use email to communicate information to us that you consider confidential.
  3. “Phishing” is a scam designed to steal your personal information. If you receive an email that looks like it is from us asking you for your personal information, do not respond.  We will never request your passwords, user names, credit card information, or other personally identifiable information through email.

Cookie Policy

A “cookie” is an element of data that a website can send to your browser and store your preferences when you link to that website. It is not a computer program and has no ability to read data residing on your device or instruct your device to perform any step or function. By assigning a unique data element to each visitor, the website is able to recognize repeat users, track usage patterns, and better serve you when you return to our site. The cookie does not extract personally identifiable information about you. In order to better understand how we use cookies, the following descriptions account for the different types of cookies that may be utilized on our website. First-party cookies are cookies set by the website you are visiting. Persistent cookies are cookies that remain on your device for the period of time specified in the cookie. Persistent cookies are activated each time that you visit the website that created that particular cookie. To help serve you better, we use persistent, first-party cookies to receive and store certain types of information whenever you interact with our website through your computer or mobile device. This information helps us identify return visitors to enhance your user experience, to tailor the website to your preferences, and track usage to understand what content is most useful to website visitors. You may update your “cookie” settings on your device at any time. The help function of your browser should contain instructions to allow you to set your device to accept all cookies, to notify you when a cookie is issued, or to not receive cookies at all.

If you use Microsoft Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge, visit Microsoft Support to obtain information on how to set your cookie preferences.

If you use Google Chrome, visit Google Support to obtain information on how to set your cookie preferences.

If you use Firefox, visit Mozilla Support to obtain information on how to set your cookie preferences.

If you use Apple Safari, visit Apple Support to obtain information on how to set your cookie preferences.

Note that if you set your preferences so your device does not receive cookies, certain features of the website cannot be provided to you, and you may not be able to take full advantage of all the website content.

 

Information about users who try to engage in any unapproved activities may be shared with law enforcement agencies. 

Data Breach Notification

In the event of a breach of security involving personal information, TCEC will provide notice in accordance with the Florida Information Protection Act and other applicable federal or state laws.

Critical Infrastructure Protection

As an electric utility, TCEC maintains enhanced protections for grid operations, SCADA systems, operational technology, and critical infrastructure information. Certain infrastructure-related information may be exempt from public disclosure under Florida law.

Employee Monitoring

TCEC reserves the right to monitor and access cooperative-owned devices, networks, email systems, and internal applications. Employees should have no expectation of privacy in cooperative-owned systems except as required by law.

Accessing Information

Members may request access to or correction of their personal information by contacting Member Services.

Employees and job applicants may request access to personnel records by contacting Human Resources.

Data Retention & Disposal

Personal information is retained in accordance with legal requirements, regulatory obligations, and business necessity. When no longer required, information is securely destroyed through shredding, secure deletion, or other approved methods.

General

Continued use of TCEC services after updates constitutes acceptance where permitted by law.

Children’s Information

TCEC does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through its website.

Changes to This Policy

TCEC may amend this policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on our website with a revised effective date.

Contact us

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact:

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, INC
2862 W US 90 – Madison, FL 32340
Toll-Free: (800) 999-2285

850-973-2285