Privacy Policy

HCP Auctions (South West) Ltd
Registered in the United Kingdom
Last updated: 20/11/2025

SECTION A — PRIVACY POLICY

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how HCP Auctions (South West) Ltd (“HCP Auctions”, “we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal data when you use our website, create an account, participate in auctions, purchase items using Buy It Now, or otherwise use our services.

We are committed to complying with:

  • UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
  • Data Protection Act 2018
  • Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR)

By using our website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

2. Data Controller

HCP Auctions (South West) Ltd is the data controller for all personal data processed in connection with our services.

Contact details:
Email: info@hcpauctions.net
Phone: 01752 525626

3. Personal Data We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal data:

3.1 Information you provide directly

  • Name
  • Address and delivery details
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Account login credentials
  • Payment details (handled securely via third-party processors; we do not store full card details)
  • Verification documents (ID, proof of address) where required under AML obligations
  • Seller business information
  • Communications sent to us

3.2 Automatically collected data

  • IP address
  • Device type and operating system
  • Browser type
  • Cookies and tracking data (see Section 11)
  • Usage data (pages visited, interactions, error logs)

3.3 Transaction data

  • Bids placed
  • Purchase history
  • Payment confirmations
  • Shipping or collection arrangements
  • Communications between buyers and sellers (where routed through the platform)

3.4 AML and fraud-prevention data

  • Identity verification documents
  • Transaction monitoring data
  • Sanctions-list screening results
  • Information from fraud-prevention databases (where applicable)

4. How We Use Your Personal Data

We process your personal data for the following lawful purposes:

4.1 To provide and operate our services

  • Creating and managing user accounts
  • Enabling bidding, buying, selling, and listing functionality
  • Facilitating payments and escrow arrangements
  • Processing transactions and sending confirmations
  • Providing customer support

4.2 For legal and regulatory compliance

  • AML and sanctions checks
  • Fraud monitoring
  • Record-keeping obligations
  • Responding to legal requests from law enforcement or regulators

4.3 For service improvement

  • Analysing website usage
  • Improving platform performance
  • Developing security measures

4.4 For marketing (with consent or legitimate interest)

  • Email updates
  • Promotional offers
  • Auction announcements

Users may opt out of marketing at any time.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, the lawful bases we rely on are:

  • Contractual necessity — to provide our services
  • Legal obligation — AML checks, tax, record-keeping
  • Legitimate interests — fraud prevention, platform improvement
  • Consent — marketing and cookies where required

6. Sharing Your Data

We may share your data with:

6.1 Service providers

  • Payment processors and escrow partners
  • Identity verification services
  • Delivery and logistics partners
  • Cloud hosting and IT providers
  • Analytics and security tools

6.2 Sellers and buyers

Information necessary to complete transactions (e.g., delivery address).

6.3 Legal authorities

Where required by law or for fraud/AML investigations.

We never sell your personal data to third parties.

7. International Transfers

Where data is transferred outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

  • UK GDPR adequacy regulations
  • Standard contractual clauses
  • Approved certification mechanisms

8. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for:

  • Providing services
  • Resolving disputes
  • Meeting AML and tax obligations (typically 5–7 years)
  • Legal record-keeping

After this period, data is securely deleted or anonymised.

9. Your Rights

You have the following rights under UK GDPR:

  • Right of access
  • Right to rectification
  • Right to erasure (subject to legal retention requirements)
  • Right to restrict processing
  • Right to data portability
  • Right to object
  • Right to withdraw consent
  • Right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Contact us to exercise your rights.

10. Security Measures

We implement robust technical and organisational measures including:

  • Encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS)
  • Access-restricted databases
  • Secure password hashing
  • Regular security audits
  • AML/fraud monitoring systems

No system is 100% secure; users are responsible for maintaining account confidentiality.

11. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our Site uses cookies for:

  • Essential website functionality
  • Preferences
  • Analytics
  • Security
  • Marketing (where permitted)

Users can manage cookie preferences through browser settings or our cookie banner.

12. Escrow Functionality

Where we use escrow (or payment-hold) services:

  • Personal data may be shared with regulated payment institutions.
  • Escrow providers may conduct their own AML and identity checks.
  • Transaction and identity data is retained according to financial-service regulatory requirements.

13. AML (Anti–Money Laundering) & Fraud Prevention

As a business operating in regulated sectors (high-value goods, payments, etc.):

  • We may require proof of identity and address before allowing high-value bidding or sales.
  • We may screen users against sanctions lists, PEP registers, and fraud databases.
  • We may suspend accounts or freeze transactions if suspicious activity is identified.
  • We comply with relevant UK AML regulations where applicable.

Failure to provide requested verification documents may result in account restrictions or cancellations.

14. Valuation Disclaimers

  • Any valuations, estimates, or indicative pricing provided by HCP Auctions are opinions only, not guarantees.
  • Buyers and sellers must conduct their own due diligence.
  • Valuations may be based on limited information and should not be relied upon as authoritative financial or investment advice.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
Significant changes will be communicated via the website.
Continued use of our services indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

SECTION B — WEBSITE USE TERMS

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing the HCP Auctions website, you agree to comply with these Website Use Terms.

2. Permitted Use

Users must not:

  • Interfere with auctions or manipulate bidding
  • Upload harmful or fraudulent content
  • Attempt to access accounts or data unlawfully
  • Circumvent technical security measures
  • Use the website for illegal purposes
  • Breach intellectual property rights
  • Use automated tools to scrape or extract data without permission

3. User-Generated Content

Users are responsible for:

  • Accuracy of listing descriptions
  • Legality of items sold
  • Ownership of uploaded images or text
  • Ensuring no infringement of third-party rights

We may remove or suspend listings that breach these terms.

4. Intellectual Property

All trademarks, branding, and website content (excluding user listings) belong to HCP Auctions (South West) Ltd.
Users may not copy, reproduce, or redistribute content without permission.

5. Availability of the Website

We aim to ensure continuous availability but do not guarantee:

  • Uninterrupted access
  • Error-free performance
  • Freedom from viruses or harmful components

We reserve the right to suspend the site for maintenance or security reasons.

6. External Links

We may provide links to third-party websites.
We are not responsible for:

  • Their content
  • Their privacy practices
  • Any loss or damage caused by their use

7. Limitation of Liability (Website Use)

To the extent permitted under UK law, we are not liable for:

  • Loss of profits, business, or data
  • Indirect or consequential damages
  • Issues arising from user error, misuse, or reliance on valuations
  • Content provided by other users
  • Inaccuracies or interruptions in website availability

Nothing limits liability for fraud or personal injury caused by negligence.

8. Termination of Use

We may terminate or restrict access to the website if:

  • Users breach these terms
  • Fraud or AML concerns arise
  • Illegal conduct is suspected
  • Required by law or regulators

Users may close their account at any time.

9. Governing Law

These Website Use Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Any disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

SECTION C — CONTACT DETAILS

For questions or rights requests:

HCP Auctions (South West) Ltd
info@hcpauctions.net
01752 525626

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