Information Collected at this Web Site
Our web server automatically collects some information about you when you request pages from our server in the process of paying your bill. This includes your IP address. Your IP address is a number that is used by computers on the network to identify your computer so that data (such as the web pages you request) can be sent to you. This information does not, however, contain anything that can identify you personally. The information provided explicitly by you, the visitor, generally involves filling out forms so you can pay your bill.
For privacy and security reasons, we don't keep any information about our customers tied to the Web. Everything except checking account numbers is stored in our House File. Checking account information is stored in an off-line secure system for use by customer service and banking authorization. When you pay your bill, the information is sent to a different system, which is not connected to the Internet at all.
From a security standpoint, it ensures that no one can break into the system to do any damage. From a privacy standpoint, it also ensures that no one can steal your checking account number off the Internet.
Security
Security involves making sure that any sensitive information you may provide is handled in a safe and secure manner. BHePAY uses state of the art security for the transaction servers that handle the bill paying. This security is called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This technology allows the server to issue your browser a secure 128 bit encryption certificate that encrypts and authenticates all further transmissions between the browser and the server for that session. The browser usually shows a solid key or lock when a secure socket is established. This indicates that your browser has connected to a web page that has enabled an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) connection. This is a kind of secure pipeline that keeps anyone from intercepting any data that is transmitted between you and the web server.
Most web servers, including Microsoft's and Netscape's, support SSL connections. For more information visit Wikipedia's page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSL
Privacy is a Priority
Privacy on the web is a priority at Bangor Hydro. We inform our visitors about the types of information we collect and how we use it.
We save messages we think might be needed for customer call back.
We only keep email addresses on file for our customer service records.
We DON'T sell or give out email addresses to companies.
Interacting via email with BHePAY
We read and respond to all email messages. You may contact us via email (please include your name and telephone number or mailing address in the message).
Contacting the Web Site
If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this web site, you can contact us using this form.
