Last Updated: 25th October 2025
This Privacy Policy explains how CheckTheBooks, operated by Elevate Alpha Limited (Company No. 15195059, registered in England & Wales), collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal data.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your information lawfully, fairly, and transparently in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Information We Collect
We collect and process personal information to operate the platform effectively and provide a safe experience for both Customers and Experts.
Information You Provide:
- Account details such as name, email address, and business information
- Profile information including qualifications, experience, and service descriptions
- Messages and communication exchanged through the platform
- Payment details and billing information for purchases or escrow transactions
- Identity verification data or documents, where required for verification purposes
Information Collected Automatically:
- Device, browser, and operating system details
- IP address, location data, and log files
- Cookies and analytics data to understand how the platform is used
Information from Third Parties:
- Identity verification results from trusted third-party providers
- Payment and transaction data from payment processors
- Publicly available business information or credentials
How We Use Your Information
Your personal data is used to:
- Operate and maintain your account and profile on the platform
- Facilitate communication, bookings, and escrow transactions between Customers and Experts
- Verify the identity and credentials of Experts for platform trust and security
- Process and safeguard payments through our escrow system
- Provide customer support and respond to enquiries
- Improve, personalise, and secure the CheckTheBooks platform
- Comply with legal, regulatory, and financial recordkeeping obligations
Legal Bases for Processing
We process your information under one or more of the following lawful bases:
- Contract: to deliver services, process transactions, and manage your account
- Legal obligation: to comply with tax, accounting, or anti-fraud requirements
- Legitimate interest: to maintain platform integrity, prevent misuse, and improve operations
- Consent: where you have opted in (for example, marketing communications)
Sharing Your Information
Your data may be shared with:
- Other users, only where necessary for bookings, messaging, or transactions
- Payment processors and escrow partners to complete transactions
- Third-party identity verification providers
- Law enforcement or regulatory authorities when required by law
- Trusted service providers who support our operations (e.g., hosting, analytics, support tools)
We do not sell or rent your personal data to third parties. All partners are required to handle your data securely and in compliance with applicable privacy laws.
Escrow and Transaction Data
When payments are made via our Escrow service, certain payment and transaction details are processed and securely stored to ensure dispute resolution and regulatory compliance.
We retain records of escrow transactions, payment releases, and related communication for as long as required under financial and legal obligations.
Data Retention and Account Deletion
If you delete your account, your public profile and login access will be removed. However, we may retain:
- Transaction and payment records for legal and accounting purposes (typically up to six years)
- Minimal information necessary to prevent fraud or enforce agreements
- Messages exchanged with other users (as those users retain a copy)
- Records needed for dispute resolution or escrow investigations
Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the site, remember preferences, and analyse usage patterns. You can manage or disable cookies in your browser settings, though this may affect certain features of the Platform.
Data Security
We use industry-standard security measures including encryption, secure hosting, and access controls to protect your personal data. While we take all reasonable precautions, no system is entirely immune from risks, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
International Data Transfers
If your data is transferred outside the UK (for example, to trusted service providers in other countries), we ensure that adequate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses are in place to maintain a high level of protection.
Your Rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Request deletion of your personal data, subject to retention obligations
- Object to processing in certain circumstances
- Request data portability where applicable
- Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent
Requests can be made by contacting us at the details below. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling certain requests.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Any updates will be published on this page, and the “Last Updated” date will reflect the latest revision. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
Contact Us
Elevate Alpha Limited
Suite 625,
37 Westminster Buildings,
Theatre Square,
Nottingham, NG1 6LG
Email: hi@checkthebooks.com