Terms of Use

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Use ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("Member," "you," or "your") and RTOAsk ("RTOAsk," "we," "us," or "our"). By accessing or using the RTOAsk platform, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated herein by reference.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use the RTOAsk platform.

2. Description of Service

RTOAsk is a business-to-business platform designed to help rent-to-own businesses verify customer information and assess risk before entering into rental agreements. As detailed in our Privacy Policy, RTOAsk operates as a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., furnishing limited consumer reports on rent-to-own shed payment/default histories. Our service provides:

• A shared database of customer payment histories and account statuses
• Customer lookup and verification capabilities
• Cross-business customer information sharing
• Tools for monitoring and managing customer accounts
• State-specific access controls for member businesses
• RTOAsk services the lower 48 states excluding Maine, Maryland and Rhode Island

3. Eligibility and Account Registration

3.1 Eligibility

To use RTOAsk, you must:

• Be a legitimate business operating in the rent-to-own, retail financing, or related industry
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have the authority to bind your business to these Terms
• Provide accurate and complete registration information
• Maintain the confidentiality of your account credentials

3.2 Account Approval

All member accounts are subject to administrative approval. RTOAsk reserves the right to:

• Deny any account application without explanation
• Require additional verification or documentation
• Set geographic restrictions (allowed states) for your account
• Suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms

3.3 Account Security

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the security of your username and password
• Enabling and maintaining two-factor authentication (2FA) using a valid cell phone number
• Never sharing your SMS verification codes with any person or entity, including RTOAsk staff
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach

Passwords must meet our security requirements: minimum 10 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.

4. SMS & Phone Communications

4.1 SMS Two-Factor Authentication

By registering a phone number with your RTOAsk account as required under Section 3.3, you expressly consent to receive SMS text messages from RTOAsk containing one-time passcodes (OTPs) for the sole purpose of verifying your identity during login. You agree to the following:

• SMS verification codes are sent only when a login attempt is initiated by you or when account security activity requires verification.
• Verification codes are for your use only. You must never share your code with anyone, including RTOAsk staff. RTOAsk will never ask you for your verification code.
• Message frequency varies based on your login activity.
• Standard message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier plan. RTOAsk is not responsible for any charges imposed by your mobile carrier.
• RTOAsk is not responsible for delays or failures in SMS delivery caused by your mobile carrier or other third-party factors.

4.2 Voice Communications

By registering your phone number, you also consent to be contacted by RTOAsk staff by phone when necessary for:

• Account-related support or troubleshooting
• Security concerns or suspected unauthorized access to your account
• Membership matters requiring direct communication

All voice communications will be made only during reasonable hours in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

4.3 Prohibited Uses of Communications

RTOAsk will never use your phone number for:

• Marketing, promotional, or solicitation communications of any kind
• Any purpose unrelated to your RTOAsk account security and membership support
• Sale or distribution to third parties for commercial purposes

4.4 Your Responsibilities

You agree to:

• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date phone number on your account at all times, as it is required for two-factor authentication under Section 3.3
• Notify RTOAsk immediately at admin@rtoask.com if your phone number changes or if you suspect your verification codes have been compromised
• Ensure the phone number registered to your account is one you personally control and have authority to use

4.5 Opting Out & Disabling SMS Authentication

To remove or update the phone number associated with your account, or to request disabling of SMS authentication, contact us at admin@rtoask.com. Please note that:

• Disabling SMS two-factor authentication may affect your ability to securely access your RTOAsk account
• RTOAsk reserves the right to require SMS authentication as a condition of platform access for security purposes, consistent with Section 3.3

4.6 Consumer Request & Dispute Form — Phone Communications

If you are a consumer submitting a file disclosure request or dispute through the RTOAsk Consumer Request Form, you may optionally provide a phone number. By providing your phone number on this form, you agree to the following:

• Your phone number may be used by RTOAsk staff to contact you by voice call if necessary to process your request or dispute in accordance with our FCRA obligations.
• Your phone number collected through this form is never used for SMS communications, two-factor authentication, or marketing purposes.
• Your phone number and all information submitted through this form is secured upon submission and accessible only to authorized RTOAsk administrators.
• Your phone number will not be sold, shared, or distributed to third parties for any purpose outside of your dispute or file disclosure request.
• RTOAsk will only contact you during reasonable hours in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
• Providing your phone number on this form is optional. You may submit your request via email at admin@rtoask.com if you prefer not to provide a phone number.

5. Permitted Use

5.1 Authorized Users

RTOAsk is intended exclusively for legitimate business purposes. You may use the platform to:

• Verify customer information before entering rent-to-own agreements
• Submit customer payment history and account status updates
• Search for customers within your approved states
• Monitor and update customer records you have submitted
• Assess business risk and make informed lending decisions

All uses must comply with FCRA permissible purposes, as certified by you and detailed in the Privacy Policy.

5.2 Prohibited Uses

You agree NOT to:

• Access or attempt to access customer information outside your approved states
• Share your account credentials with unauthorized individuals
• Use the platform for any purpose other than legitimate business verification
• Submit false, misleading, or inaccurate customer information
• Attempt to reverse-engineer, hack, or compromise the platform's security
• Scrape, mine, or extract data from the platform using automated tools
• Use customer information for marketing, solicitation, or harassment
• Violate any applicable federal, state, or local laws or regulations
• Interfere with other members' use of the platform
• Upload viruses, malware, or other malicious code

6. Customer Information and Data Submission

6.1 Your Responsibilities

When submitting customer information to RTOAsk, you represent and warrant that:

• You have a legitimate business relationship with the customer
• You have obtained all necessary consents and authorizations to submit the information, as required by FCRA and other laws
• The information is accurate and up-to-date to the best of your knowledge
• You will promptly update customer records as circumstances change
• You will comply with all applicable privacy laws and regulations, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), and state privacy laws

6.2 Customer Consent

You are solely responsible for obtaining appropriate consent from customers before submitting their information to RTOAsk. This may include:

• Authorization to verify credit and rental history
• Consent to share information with other rent-to-own businesses
• Acknowledgment of information sharing practices

See the Privacy Policy for consumer rights and dispute processes.

6.3 Data Accuracy

You agree to:

• Ensure all submitted information is accurate and complete
• Update customer records when their status changes (e.g., account paid off, repossession, legal action)
• Correct any errors or inaccuracies promptly when discovered
• Delete customer records upon request when legally permissible, subject to FCRA retention requirements

7. Information Sharing and Cross-Business Access

7.1 Shared Database

Customer information you submit becomes part of a shared database accessible to other verified RTOAsk members. You understand and agree that:

• Other members in your approved states may view customer records you submit for FCRA-permissible purposes
• You may view customer records submitted by other members in your approved states
• All members have a responsibility to use this information ethically and legally
• Information is provided "as-is" without warranty of accuracy or completeness

7.2 Use of Shared Information

When accessing customer information submitted by other members:

• Use the information solely for risk assessment and verification purposes under FCRA
• Do not contact customers for marketing or solicitation
• Verify critical information independently before making business decisions
• Respect the confidentiality and privacy of customer information, as outlined in the Privacy Policy

8. Fees and Payment

RTOAsk may charge subscription fees, usage fees, or other charges for access to the platform. By using RTOAsk, you agree to:

• Pay all applicable fees in a timely manner
• Provide accurate billing information
• Accept that fees are non-refundable except as required by law
• Acknowledge that RTOAsk may change fees with 30 days' notice
• Understand that failure to pay may result in account suspension or termination

9. Intellectual Property

9.1 RTOAsk Ownership

RTOAsk and all related trademarks, logos, software, and content are the property of RTOAsk or its licensors. You do not acquire any ownership rights by using the platform.

9.2 Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use RTOAsk for your business purposes in accordance with these Terms. This license terminates upon account closure or termination.

9.3 Customer Data

You retain ownership of the customer information you submit, but you grant RTOAsk a perpetual, worldwide license to use, store, and share this information as necessary to operate the platform and provide services to other members, consistent with FCRA and the Privacy Policy.

10. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

10.1 No Warranty

RTOAsk is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to:

• Accuracy, completeness, or reliability of customer information
• Uninterrupted or error-free operation
• Fitness for a particular purpose
• Non-infringement of third-party rights

10.2 Independent Verification

You acknowledge that:

• Customer information is submitted by third parties and may be inaccurate
• You must independently verify information before making business decisions
• While RTOAsk complies with FCRA as a CRA, it furnishes limited reports and does not guarantee creditworthiness

10.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, RTOASK SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• Damages resulting from your reliance on information obtained through RTOAsk
• Damages caused by unauthorized access to your account
• Damages exceeding the fees paid by you in the 12 months preceding the claim

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless RTOAsk, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney's fees) arising from:

• Your use of the RTOAsk platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including privacy rights
• Your submission of inaccurate or unlawful customer information
• Your failure to obtain required customer consents or comply with FCRA

12. Compliance with Laws

You agree to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to:

• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Use information only for permissible purposes and provide adverse action notices as required
• Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA): Implement safeguards for customer financial information
• State Privacy Laws: Comply with applicable state data protection laws
• Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): Use information ethically in debt collection
• Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA): RTOAsk complies with all applicable TCPA requirements governing SMS and voice communications to members

13. Account Suspension and Termination

13.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting RTOAsk at admin@rtoask.com. Upon termination:

• Your access to the platform will be revoked
• Customer information you submitted may remain in the database per FCRA retention rules (see Privacy Policy)
• You remain liable for any outstanding fees

13.2 Termination by RTOAsk

We may suspend or terminate your account immediately, without notice, if:

• You violate these Terms
• You fail to pay required fees
• Your account is used for fraudulent or illegal purposes
• We are required to do so by law
• We discontinue the RTOAsk service

13.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your license to use RTOAsk immediately terminates
• All fees owed become immediately due
• Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive (indemnification, limitation of liability, etc.) will continue to apply

14. Modifications to Terms

RTOAsk reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting updated Terms on the platform
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending email notification to your registered email address

Your continued use of RTOAsk after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must discontinue use and close your account.

15. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

15.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

15.2 Arbitration

Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of RTOAsk shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, except that either party may seek injunctive relief in court for violations of intellectual property rights or confidentiality obligations. Arbitration shall occur in Des Moines, Iowa.

15.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree that disputes will be resolved on an individual basis only, and you waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.

16. Miscellaneous

16.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and RTOAsk regarding your use of the platform.

16.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

16.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision.

16.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our prior written consent. RTOAsk may assign these Terms without restriction.

16.5 Force Majeure

RTOAsk is not liable for any failure to perform due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, terrorism, labor disputes, or internet/telecommunications failures.

17. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Use, please contact us:

RTOAsk
Email: admin@rtoask.com