Confidentiality Policy
Effective Date: September 2, 2026
Metzger Financial Consulting (“MFC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the confidentiality of personal, financial, and other sensitive information entrusted to MFC by its clients. This Confidentiality Policy explains how MFC handles confidential client information and the circumstances under which such information may be used or disclosed.
1. Information Considered
Confidential information includes personal, financial, disability-related, and other nonpublic information that a client provides to MFC in connection with financial counseling, coaching, education, or related services.
This may include information about a client’s income, expenses, debts, credit, student loans, financial goals, benefits, household circumstances, financial documents, and other information relevant to the services requested.
Information does not lose its confidential nature simply because it is provided verbally, electronically, through a form, or during a virtual session.
2. How MFC Uses Confidential Information
MFC uses confidential client information only as reasonably necessary to provide the services requested by the client and to operate MFC’s business.
This may include reviewing information and documents, providing financial education and counseling, developing strategies and recommendations, providing coaching and follow-up support, managing appointments and payments, and maintaining appropriate business records.
MFC will not use a client’s confidential information, personal circumstances, disability-related information, image, testimonial, or personal story for advertising or marketing purposes without the client’s separate permission.
3. When Confidential Information May Be Shared
MFC does not sell clients’ personal or financial information.
Confidential information may be shared only when reasonably necessary to provide services requested or authorized by the client, work with service providers that support MFC’s business operations, process payments, comply with applicable law or legal process, or protect MFC, its clients, or others from fraud, misuse, or other harmful activity.
When information is shared with a service provider, MFC will limit the information provided to what is reasonably necessary for that provider to perform its services.
4. Client Documents and Sensitive Information
MFC may receive financial documents reasonably necessary to provide requested services, including budgets, bills, credit reports, student-loan statements, or collection notices.
Clients should redact unnecessary sensitive information before providing documents and should not send passwords, PINs, login credentials, complete Social Security numbers, or complete bank or payment-card account numbers unless MFC has specifically identified a legitimate need and an appropriate secure method for providing the information.
Client documents will be retained only as long as reasonably necessary to provide services and satisfy legitimate business or legal recordkeeping requirements.
5. Virtual Sessions and Communications
MFC services are provided virtually, and confidential information may be discussed or transmitted through virtual meetings, email, text messages, website forms, or other communication methods used in connection with MFC services.
Clients should use reasonable caution when transmitting personal or financial information electronically and should avoid sending unnecessary highly sensitive information through ordinary communications.
MFC takes reasonable measures to protect confidential information; however, no electronic communication or storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
6. Session Recordings
With the client’s prior consent, MFC may record virtual sessions for quality assurance, service improvement, and accurate follow-up.
Clients may decline recording without losing access to MFC services.
Recordings will generally be retained for no longer than 30 days and then deleted, unless a longer retention period is required by applicable law or another arrangement has been specifically agreed upon.
Session recordings will not be used for advertising, testimonials, social media, public distribution, or other marketing purposes without the client’s separate permission.
7. Confidentiality and Legal Requirements
MFC will maintain client confidentiality except when disclosure is authorized by the client, reasonably necessary to provide requested services, or required or permitted by applicable law.
Nothing in this Confidentiality Policy prevents MFC from responding to a valid court order, subpoena, legal process, or other lawful requirement.
When legally permitted and reasonably practical, MFC will limit any disclosure to the information necessary to respond to the applicable request or obligation.
8. Questions About Confidentiality
Clients who have questions or concerns about confidentiality or the handling of their information are encouraged to contact MFC.
Questions may be directed to:
Metzger Financial Consulting
5557 Baltimore Ave, Ste 500-919
Hyattsville, MD 20781
Email: stephanie@metzgerfinancialconsulting.com
Phone: 202-981-3821
Website: www.metzgerfinancialconsulting.com