Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to www.mortgagesbyernie.com ("Website"), operated by THE MORTGAGE LEAD SOURCE LLC, doing business as Mortgages by Ernie ("we," "us," or "our"). Our mortgage services are offered under the licensing of Patriot Pacific Financial Corp, NMLS #1921615 | CA DRE #02103516.

We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy & Security Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Website, submit inquiries, or communicate with us via phone, email, or SMS text message.

By using our Website or engaging with us in any way, you agree to the terms outlined in this Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of our Website and services.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information:

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Full name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
• Social Security Number (SSN) and date of birth (for loan applications)
• Employment, income, and asset information
• Property information and loan preferences
• Any other information you submit through our contact or application forms

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• IP address and browser type
• Pages visited, time spent on site, and referring URLs
• Device identifiers and operating system
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2.3 Information from Third Parties

• Credit bureaus and background verification services
• Government agencies for identity and eligibility verification
• Referral partners and lead generation platforms

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To process mortgage inquiries, pre-qualifications, and loan applications
• To communicate with you about your loan status, appointments, and important updates
• To send appointment reminders and confirmations via phone call or SMS text message
• To verify your identity and comply with federal and state lending regulations
• To improve our website, services, and customer experience
• To comply with legal obligations, including RESPA, TILA, HMDA, and applicable CFPB regulations
• To respond to your questions, feedback, and service requests

4. SMS & Phone Communications — A2P Compliance

Mortgages by Ernie uses Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging to communicate with clients and prospective clients. By providing your mobile phone number and opting in, you consent to receive SMS text messages from us.

4.1 Purpose of SMS & Phone Communications

We use SMS and phone communications strictly for the following purposes:

• Appointment scheduling, confirmations, and reminders
• Loan status updates and time-sensitive notifications
• Follow-up on submitted inquiries or applications
• Important compliance disclosures related to your mortgage transaction

4.2 Opt-In

By submitting your phone number through any form on our Website, verbally providing it to one of our team members, or texting us directly, you expressly consent to receive SMS messages and phone calls from Mortgages by Ernie. Your consent is not a condition of purchasing any product or service.

4.3 Opt-Out / Stop

You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. After opting out, you will receive one final confirmation message. To opt back in at any time, reply START or contact us directly.

4.4 Message Frequency & Rates

Message frequency may vary based on your loan activity and appointment schedule. Standard message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and plan.

4.5 Supported Carriers

Our A2P SMS messaging is supported by major U.S. carriers including but not limited to AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Carrier support is not guaranteed for all mobile service providers.

4.6 Help

For assistance, reply HELP to any text message or contact us directly at the contact information provided in Section 9 of this Policy.

4.7 No Third-Party Sharing for Marketing

Your mobile phone number and SMS consent will never be sold, rented, or shared with third parties for their own marketing purposes. We do not use your phone number for any purpose other than those described in this Section.

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• With Patriot Pacific Financial Corp and affiliated lenders for loan processing and underwriting
• With credit bureaus, appraisal companies, title companies, and escrow services as required for your transaction
• With government agencies and regulators as required by applicable law
• With service providers who assist us in operating our Website and business (subject to confidentiality agreements)
• In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of business assets, with appropriate notice to you
• When required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of our clients and the public

6. Data Security

We take the security of your personal information seriously. We implement industry-standard physical, electronic, and administrative safeguards to protect your data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted through our Website
• Secure storage of sensitive documents and loan files
• Access controls limiting data access to authorized personnel only
• Regular security assessments and system monitoring

However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. If you believe your information has been compromised, please contact us immediately.

7. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our Website may use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, analyze site traffic, and understand user behavior. You may control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Please note that disabling cookies may limit certain functionality on our Website.

We do not respond to "Do Not Track" signals at this time, as there is no uniform industry standard for compliance.

8. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your state of residence, you may have rights under applicable privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). These rights may include:

• The right to know what personal information we collect and how it is used
• The right to request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal exceptions)
• The right to opt out of the sale of your personal information (we do not sell personal data)
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 9. We will respond to verified requests within 45 days as required by applicable law.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy & Security Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

10. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy & Security Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Your continued use of our Website or services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Policy. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically.