1. Who we are

Our website address is: https://www.goldfin.co.za

Gold & Finance is a South African jewellery buyer that purchases gold, platinum and diamond jewellery, diamonds, Krugerrands, gold coins, luxury watches, and silverware.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and other applicable South African laws.

2. Information we collect

We collect personal information in the following ways:

  1. Lead Forms / Contact Forms
    When you complete a form on our website (for example, to request an offer, or callback), we collect the data you provide, such as:
    1. Your name
    2. Email address
    3. Phone number
    4. City or location
    5. Any message or details you choose to share

    This information is used to contact you about your enquiry, provide requested information, and improve our services.

  2. Comments
    When visitors leave comments, we collect the data shown in the comments form, the visitor’s IP address, and browser user agent string to help detect spam.
    An anonymized string created from your email address (a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it.

    The Gravatar privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/
    After approval, your profile picture (if any) is visible publicly in the context of your comment.

  3. Website Analytics & Advertising
    We use tools such as Google Analytics and Google Ads to understand how visitors use our website and to improve performance and advertising relevance.
    These tools may use cookies or similar technologies to collect anonymous information such as:
    1. Your IP address
    2. Pages visited
    3. Time spent on the site
    4. Referring websites
    5. Device and browser type

    You can manage or opt out of personalized advertising by visiting https://adssettings.google.com/

  4. Media
    If you upload images to the website, avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors can download and extract any location data from images on the site.

3. Cookies

Our site uses cookies to improve user experience and analytics. Examples include:

  • Form cookies: If you fill in a form, cookies may store your contact details for future convenience.
  • Login cookies: If you log in, temporary cookies check whether your browser accepts cookies. Login cookies last for two days; display preference cookies last for one year.
  • Analytics and Ads cookies: Used to measure website performance and ad conversions.

You can manage or delete cookies at any time in your browser settings.

4. Embedded Content from Other Websites

Pages on this site may include embedded content (such as videos, images, or articles).

Embedded content from other websites behaves in the same way as if you had visited that website directly. These sites may collect data about you, use cookies, and track your interaction if you have an account and are logged in to that website.

5. FICA & Regulatory Compliance

Gold & Finance is subject to the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 38 of 2001 (FICA) and is legally required to verify the identity of clients in certain circumstances.

Where required by law, we may request and collect:

  • A clear copy of a valid South African identity document or passport
  • Proof of residential address (not older than three (3) months)
  • Where a foreign passport is provided, a valid visa or permanent residency permit

This information is collected solely for regulatory and compliance purposes and may be required prior to proceeding with certain transactions.

Failure to provide required FICA documentation may result in delays, suspension, or the inability to proceed with a transaction, in accordance with applicable law.

6. Protection of Personal Information (POPIA)

Gold & Finance complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and is committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of personal information.

We confirm that:

  • Personal and FICA-related information is treated as strictly confidential
  • Personal information is collected and processed only for lawful, regulatory, compliance, transactional, and business purposes
  • Personal information is stored securely with restricted and controlled access
  • Personal information is not sold or rented to third parties

Personal information may be shared only where necessary, including with:

  • Regulatory or law enforcement authorities
  • Financial institutions
  • Auditors, compliance providers, or professional advisers
  • Service providers acting on our instructions and subject to confidentiality obligations

By using our website or engaging with our services, you consent to the lawful processing of your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable legislation.

7. Who We Share Your Data With

We do not sell or rent personal information.

Your data may be shared with trusted third parties who assist with:

  • Website hosting and maintenance
  • Analytics and advertising services
  • Spam detection and security services

If you request a password reset (where applicable), your IP address will be included in the reset email.

8. How Long We Retain Your Data

  • Comments and related metadata are retained indefinitely for moderation purposes.
  • Lead and contact form submissions are retained for up to 24 months for record-keeping, support, and marketing analysis, unless deletion is requested.
  • FICA-related records are retained for the period required by law and securely destroyed thereafter.

9. Your Rights Over Your Data

You have the right to:

  • Request access to the personal information we hold about you
  • Request correction or deletion of your personal information
  • Withdraw consent for future communications
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa)

Information Regulator website: https://inforegulator.org.za/

To exercise your rights, please contact us at info@goldfin.co.za

10. Where Your Data Is Sent

  • Visitor comments and form submissions may be checked through automated spam detection services.
  • Analytics and advertising data may be processed by third-party providers such as Google or Meta.
  • Personal information may be stored on secure servers located in South Africa or in international data centres with equivalent data protection safeguards.

11. Data Security

We use SSL encryption and reasonable administrative, technical, and organisational safeguards to protect personal information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal, regulatory, or operational changes.

The most current version will always be available on this page. Continued use of our website constitutes acceptance of any updates.

13. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us at: info@goldfin.co.za