Privacy Policy

Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative

Privacy Policy and SMS Terms of Use

Effective: September 24, 2026

Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (the “Cooperative”) respects the privacy of its members, applicants, employees, and visitors. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and protect it, when we may share it, and what choices you have regarding your information. By using the Cooperative’s services, website, or mobile applications, you acknowledge and accept the practices described in this policy.

We collect information necessary to provide service and manage your account and services. The information that may be collected includes:
1. Contact information including but not limited to your name, service and mailing address, email address, telephone number(s), and account or member number.
2. Account information which may include billing and payment details, bank and/or credit card information, service agreements, energy usage and consumption data (including smart meter data), service requests, outage information, and Cooperative program participation.
3. Website, mobile application, and device information including but not limited to IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, cookies, logs, and other related technology.
4. Communications and consent records, call logs, notes, messages and other communications.
5. Any other information you voluntarily provide to the Cooperative or its employees.
The Cooperative will not sell, rent, or release your personal information to third parties for marketing or promotional purposes without your prior written consent.
Information may be shared with third-party service providers and vendors who perform services on behalf of the Cooperative for legitimate business purposes, including but not limited to:
1. Provide and maintain bills, services, support for electric services and cooperative programs
2. Administer payment processing, accounts, service requests, schedule appointments,
3. Provide outage, restoration, emergency, safety, account, appointment, operational, educational, community, and cooperative promotional communications.
4. Operate, secure, troubleshoot, analyze, and improve Cooperative websites, systems, services, and communications
5. Prevent fraud, protect individuals and the Cooperative, enforce applicable agreements and policies, and comply with legal, regulatory, audit, records-retention, and reporting obligations.
The Cooperative may also disclose your information when required by law, regulation, subpoena, court order, or other legal process, or when the Cooperative believes in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Cooperative, its members, or the public.
If you consent to receive text messages from the Cooperative, your mobile number and the consent will be used to categorize the messages you receive.
1. Message frequency varies.
2. Message and data rates may apply.
3. You may opt out at any time by replying to any message, STOP.
4. You may request assistance by replying to any message, HELP.
Neither the Cooperative nor any wireless carriers are responsible for delayed or undeliverable messages.
The Cooperative maintains administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure. These measures include, but are not limited to, encryption of sensitive data, access controls, employee training, and regular security assessments. However, no system or method of electronic transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure, and the Cooperative cannot ensure absolute security of your information.
In the event of a security breach involving your personal information, the Cooperative will notify affected individuals without unreasonable delay, consistent with the requirements of North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-65) and any applicable federal requirements. Such notification will describe the nature of the breach, the types of information involved, and the steps the Cooperative is taking in response.
The Cooperative will retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide services, maintain accurate records for business purposes, enforce agreements, and satisfy legal, regulatory, audit, and record-retention requirements.
The Cooperative is not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of third-party websites, applications, or services that may be linked from or accessible through the Cooperative’s website. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
The Cooperative reserves the right to update or modify this policy at any time. Material changes will be communicated to members through bill inserts, email, website posting, or other appropriate means. The effective date at the top of this policy indicates the date of the most recent revision.
The Cooperative’s website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and the Cooperative does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If the Cooperative becomes aware that it has inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, it will take steps to delete such information promptly.
Members may request access to the personal information the Cooperative maintains about them, request correction of inaccurate information, or ask questions about this policy by contacting the Cooperative at the address, phone number, or website listed below. The Cooperative will respond to such requests within a reasonable time.
This policy is governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina. Any disputes arising under this policy shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of North Carolina.
Contact for Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative:

Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative

47109 Light Plant Road

PO Box 9

Buxton, NC 27920

Phone: (252)995-5616

Toll-free: (800)454-5616

Website: www.chec.coop

This policy may be accessed on our website at: https://www.chec.coop/Privacy-TermsofUse