Vectren, A CenterPoint Energy Company, Privacy Policy/Terms of Use FAQs
CenterPoint Energy has updated its online Terms of Use and Privacy Policy to reflect common modern practices such as tracking customers' activity on our own website and sharing certain aspects of their information with third parties in the regular course of business in order to offer and provide more relevant products and services of interest to them. In order to use our website and benefit from our online services, customers should review our policy and may choose to decline, in which case they will be de-enrolled from online services and may not use the website. Further use of the website will be considered acceptance of the Policy and Terms.
Q: Why did I receive this email (or message when I tried to log into the website)?
A: We value your business and your trust, and we want you to know that we have updated our online Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. We want to explain to you how we collect, maintain, share and take steps to protect your personal information and the choices available to you to get the most out of your relationship with us
Q: Why did I receive this email (or message when I tried to log into the website)?
A: We value your business and your trust, and we want you to know that we have updated our online Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. We want to explain to you how we collect, maintain, share and take steps to protect your personal information and the choices available to you to get the most out of your relationship with us.
Q: Do I have to do anything?
A: No action is required of you. We encourage you to read the online Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you choose to decline the policy and terms, you may do so, but you may no longer use the CenterPoint Energy website or other online services like paperless billing, energy usage reports, furnace filter alerts, autopay, etc. Further use of the website will be considered acceptance of the Policy and Terms.
Q: What changed in the privacy policy?
A: The new privacy statement explains in more detail how we use and share personal information we collect about our users and website visitors and how we may share and use such information in order to better tailor our websites, products and services to your needs and interests based on your activity on our websites.
Q: When will it be effective?
A: The updated online Terms of Use and Privacy Policy become effective on Mar. 11, 2019. Once effective, they will apply to both our existing and new web users and visitors, including information we collected from you and other existing users before the new Privacy Policy became effective.
Q: If the policy and terms don't become effective until Mar. 11, why can't I log into my online account in the meantime? Why are you de-enrolling me now?
A: We want to give you sufficient time to become aware of, read, and understand our new online Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. That is why we have notified you before the effective date. We also need seven to ten days to de-enroll customers from online services who decline the policy and terms.
Q: What information about me are you collecting and why?
A: To provide you products and services, CenterPoint Energy needs to know who you are and basic information about you such as your name, service address and mailing address, phone number, email address, financial information, and user name and password for access to your Vectren.com online account. We also collect information through routine business with you such as information related to your participation in various CenterPoint Energy programs.
Q: What do you do with the information you collect about me?
A: Your personal information enables us to provide you with products and services and learn ways to improve them.
Q: How can I be assured my data is safe with you?
A: We have put administrative, technical and physical safeguards in place to help protect your personal information against accidental, unlawful or unauthorized destruction, loss, alteration, access, disclosure or use. Unfortunately no electronic transmission of information is entirely secure, so we can't promise that our security measures will never be defeated or fail. However, access to your information is limited to employees and contractors who need it for a business purpose. If your personal information is shared with outside contractors, there are provisions in our contracts with them that require them to safeguard your information as appropriate.
Q: What can I do to protect my online privacy?
A: An easy and effective way to try to avoid being a victim of computer-based identity theft is to change your password regularly and often, and to use a strong password. Strong passwords have between 8 and 16 characters containing at least one(1) upper and lowercase letter, one(1) number and one(1) special character.
Q: What happens if you get hacked?
A: Unfortunately no electronic transmission of information is entirely secure, so we can't promise that our security measures will never be defeated or fail. However, should a security breach occur involving certain kinds of your personal information, we will notify you and our government regulators as required by law.
Q: What do I do if I suspect fraud on my account?
A: We take suspicious account activity seriously. If you suspect account fraud, or if you have been the victim of identity theft, call us toll-free at 800-227-1376.
Q: How do I update the information you have for me?
A: You can update your personal information yourself at any time by logging into your Vectren.com account, where you can also register for a free online account if you have not already done so.
Q: Who are you sharing my data with and why?
A: We use third-party service providers, affiliates and independent marketing partners to help us provide you with quality products, services and programs. In the course of business, we may need to share your personal information. We may also use and share your information with third party marketing partners to send you, and/or your friends and family members, marketing communications about CenterPoint Energy or CenterPoint Energy products and services, third party products and services, promotions and discounts that may be of interest to you or your family or friends. You can always choose not to receive such promotional communications (for example by clicking "unsubscribe" from any promotional email you receive).
Q: Are you going to sell my data?
A: We do not sell your personal information. If we sell or transfer all or a portion of our business assets, including customer information, we will request that the transferee use your personal information in ways consistent with our policy. You may contact the new company with any questions about your personal information.
Q: Are you following me around on the websites I visit?
A: Like many companies, we and our Service Providers may automatically collect certain information about you when you visit our websites through "cookies" and other tracking technologies. We do this to better understand your preferences, to offer you products and services that may interest you, and to improve your customer experience. We may work with third parties or online advertising networks to serve advertisements on our behalf. These entities may use cookies and other tracking technologies, information from which we may use to deliver content targeted to your interests. We also may participate in online advertising networks and exchanges that display relevant advertisements to you on our websites and on third-party websites and services, based on your interests as reflected in your browsing of our websites and other websites. We may use this information to analyze and track data, determine the popularity of certain content, deliver advertising and content targeted to your interests and better understand your online activity.
Q: What if I don't want you to track me?
A: If you do not want us to use online tracking technology to improve our service, you should not use our websites. Certain companies may participate in the Digital Advertising Alliance ("DAA") AdChoices Program and may display an Advertising Option icon for interest-based ads that links to an opt-out tool which allows you to exercise certain choices regarding targeting. You can learn more about the DAA AdChoices Program at Youradchoices.com and its opt-out program for mobile applications at Aboutads.info/appchoices. In addition, certain advertising networks and exchanges may participate in the Network Advertising Initiative ("NAI"). NAI has developed a tool that allows consumers to opt out of certain targeted advertising delivered by NAI members ad networks. To learn more about opting out of targeted advertising or to use the NAI tool, visit networkadvertising.org/choices. Please be aware that even if you are able to opt out of certain kinds of targeted advertising, you will continue to receive non-targeted ads.
Q: What if I don't agree with the privacy policy or terms of use?
A: If you do not agree with our online Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, you may decline by visiting Vectren.com/policyreview and clicking the link at the bottom of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use screen, in which case you must stop using our websites and you will be de-enrolled from your online Vectren.com account and our other online services such as Paperless Billing. Further use of the website will be considered acceptance of the Policy and Terms.
Q: What happens if I decline?
A: If you decline the CenterPoint Energy online Terms of Use and Privacy Policy by clicking "De-enroll" from the "Are you sure" page, you may no longer use CenterPoint Energy websites or online services. You will be de-enrolled from your CenterPoint Energy online account within seven to ten days and will no longer benefit from these online services:
- Enrollment in Paperless Billing - you will receive a paper bill in the mail,
- The ability to view and pay your bill online,
- The ability to log into your Vectren.com account to manage your account information as well as billing and communication preferences,
- The ability to manage your preferences for other online services such furnace filter alerts, email newsletters, billing and service notifications,
-
And the ability to perform these functions online:
- Request a payment extension,
- Set up payment arrangements,
Q: What if I change my mind?
A: If you decline our online Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, you will be de-enrolled from your CenterPoint Energy online account within ten days. After seven to ten days, you can always re-enroll at Vectren.com, where you will be required to create a User ID and password as well as accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Any future use of the website after declining will be considered acceptance of the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy but will not automatically re-enroll you on Vectren.com.
Q: Do I have to accept the online Terms of Use and Privacy Policy to make a one-time payment as a guest?
No. You can still make a one-time payment as a guest.Q: Can I accept or decline the policy and terms over the phone?
A: No. The online Terms of Use and Privacy Policy apply to online behavior and information collected online. Customer Service Representatives are eager to answer your questions about the terms and policy but as a legal document, the CenterPoint Energy online Terms of Use and Privacy Policy should be read in full and accepted or declined through the online channel offered in order to properly record the legal agreement.
Q: What if I just don't want to receive emails?
A: In accordance with federal law, you can always choose not to receive promotional emails from CenterPoint Energy by clicking "unsubscribe" from any promotional email you receive. You do not need to decline our online Terms of Use and Privacy Policy to unsubscribe from promotional emails.
Unsubscribing from promotional emails will not prevent us from sending you transactional emails such as billing, account-related, regulatory or safety emails.