Beware of Imposter Scams

The UTC does not collect funds or issue refunds on behalf of utility companies. If you think that you have been targeted by this scam, please contact your utility company immediately.

Privacy Policy

Introduction

Thank you for visiting the commission's website and reviewing our Privacy and Accessibility Statement. This statement addresses collection, use and security of and access to information that may be obtained through use of this site.

When you visit our website, we collect information about your visit, but nothing that identifies you personally. We collect information that personally identifies you only if you volunteer it by submitting one of our forms to make an online payment, submit a public comment, file a consumer complaint, request public records, or an Operation Lifesaver presentation. This information is used only for the purpose for which it is collected. This information may be public record, and therefore subject to inspection and copying upon request. You may contact the UTC to review and correct any information we may have that identifies you personally. Details of each of these topics are included below.

The UTC is committed to providing access to information technology to the public and Washington State employees, including individuals with disabilities. Our website is designed to be accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities in compliance with OCIO Accessibility Policy 188. If you need accommodations to access information on this site, please contact our Accessibility Coordinator, at 360-664-1125 or accessibility@utc.wa.gov.  

This policy covers the following topics:

  • How Your Information is Collected and Used
  • Personal Information and Choice
  • Public Access to Information
  • Review and Correction of Personally Identifiable Information
  • Security
  • Disclaimer

How Your Information is Collected and Used

Browsing this site

If you do nothing while at our website but browse, read pages, or download information, we will gather and store certain information about your visit. This information does not identify you personally. We automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:

  • The Internet Protocol Address (IPA) and domain name. The IPA is a number assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. This address can be translated to determine the domain name of your service provider (e.g. xcompany.com or yourschool.edu);
  • The type of browser and operating system;
  • The date and time you visited this site;
  • The Web pages or services you accessed at this site; and
  • The Web site you visited prior to coming to this Web site.

The information we automatically collect or store is used by the UTC only to improve the content on our website and to help us understand how people are using our services.

If you volunteer information

If you participate in a fill out a form or survey, send an email, or perform some other transaction on-line, the following additional information will be collected:

  • The email address and contents of the email, for those who communicate with us via email.
  • Information volunteered in response to a survey.
  • Information volunteered through an online form for any other purpose.

The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats you send us.

We use your email to respond directly to you, to address issues you identify in your email, to further improve our site, or to forward to another agency for appropriate action. Survey information is used to improve online services.. Information from other online forms is used to gather information from you in support of the agency's work.

Personal Information and Choice

If you provide personal information online.

"Personal information" is information about that is specific to an individual. Personal information includes such things as name, address and phone number. A domain name or Internet Protocol address is not considered personal information.

We do not collect personal information about you unless you voluntarily provide it to us by sending us email, participate in a survey, or complete an online form. You may choose not to contact us by email, participate in a survey or to provide any personal information using an online form. Your choice to not participate in these activities will not impair your ability to browse this site and read or download any information provided.

If personal information is requested or volunteered by the user, state law and the federal Privacy Act of 1974 may protect it. However, this information is a public record once you provide it, and may be subject to public inspection and copying if not protected by state or federal law.

If you believe that your information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, you may contact the commission's Records Center.

Children

Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information requested or volunteered by children will be treated the same as information given by an adult, and subject to public disclosure. We encourage all children to obtain parental permission before offering any personal information to this or any website.

Public Access to Information

In Washington, laws exist to ensure open state government and the public's right to access appropriate records and information possessed by state government. There are also exceptions to the public's right to access public records that serve various needs, including the privacy of individuals. Exceptions are provided by both state and federal laws.

In the event of a conflict between this Privacy Notice and the Public Records Act or other law governing the agency's disclosure of records, the Public Records Act or other applicable law will be applied.

Review and Correction of Personally-Identifiable Information

You can review any personal information we collect about you by contacting the commission. You may recommend changes to any of your information which you believe to be inaccurate by submitting an email or written request that credibly shows the inaccuracy. We will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections.

Security

The UTC has taken several steps to safeguard the integrity of its data and prevent unauthorized access to information. These measures are designed to prevent corruption of data, block unknown or unauthorized access to our systems and information, and to provide reasonable protection of private information in our possession.

Disclaimer

The commission's website has many links to other sites including those operated by other government agencies, non-profit organizations and private businesses. When you link to another site, you are no longer on the UTC site and this Privacy Notice will not apply. When you link to another website, you are subject to the privacy policy of that new site. Also, while we review external sites that we link, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, reliability and timeliness of information contained in them. Any person who relies on information contained on a linked website must do so at their own risk.

The UTC makes every effort to ensure that documents and information provided via our website are accurate and provided in a timely manner. However, neither the UTC nor the State of Washington warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of information published by this system. Consequently we shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Any person that relies on any information from this system does so at their own risk.