How To Avoid Trigger Leads
If you've recently applied for a mortgage or had your credit pulled by a lender, you may have noticed an influx of unsolicited calls, texts, or emails from other lenders offering competing loan products. What you're likely experiencing is the result of a marketing practice known as trigger leads.
What Are Trigger Leads?
Trigger leads are a type of consumer lead generated when a credit bureau (like Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) sells information about consumers who have recently applied for a loan. When a lender pulls your credit report as part of a mortgage application, that action “triggers” the bureau to package and sell your contact info to other lenders who then try to compete for your business.
These leads are completely legal under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), though many consumers find them intrusive and confusing.
Why Do Lenders Use Trigger Leads?
Lenders use trigger leads to find potential borrowers who are actively in the market. Since these consumers are already seeking financing, the leads are considered “hot” and have a higher likelihood of conversion. For lenders, it’s a way to increase business — but for borrowers, it can feel like an invasion of privacy.
How Can You Avoid Trigger Leads?
While you can’t stop your original lender from pulling your credit (it’s a required part of the mortgage process), you can take steps to prevent your information from being sold:
Opt Out at OptOutPrescreen.com
This is the official site where you can opt out of pre-screened offers of credit and insurance for five years or permanently. It covers the major credit bureaus and is the most effective way to block trigger leads. This can take 5-7 business days to process so do this in advance of prequalifying or applying for a loan.Call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688)
This number offers the same opt-out service by phone.Advantages of a Mortgage Broker
One credit pull is used for all the lenders they review on your behalf to find the best rates and terms.Register with the Do Not Call List
While this doesn’t prevent all mortgage-related calls, it may reduce the volume of general telemarketing contacts.
Final Thoughts
Trigger leads are a legal but controversial marketing tool. If you're applying for a mortgage and want to protect your privacy, take proactive steps to opt out before your credit is pulled. It’s a small effort that can save you a lot of spam and confusion during an already stressful process.
