Protect Your Privacy: How to Stop the Harassment After Applying for a Mortgage!

As a mortgage loan officer with years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how frustrating the mortgage process can become when homebuyers are inundated with unsolicited calls and texts. Many of my clients have told me they’ve been bombarded with phone calls, texts, and emails immediately after applying for a mortgage—often from lenders they’ve never even heard of. This isn't just inconvenient; it's outright harassment.

What causes this? It’s something called a “trigger lead.” When you apply for a mortgage, the credit bureaus notify other lenders that you’re in the market for financing. These lenders then purchase your information from the bureaus and start reaching out aggressively, hoping to win your business. Unfortunately, this practice can turn an already stressful time into a nightmare.

But you can protect yourself!

How to Opt Out

You can stop these annoying trigger leads by opting out through the official consumer credit reporting opt-out service at OptOutPrescreen.com. This is the easiest way to ensure that your personal information stays private and isn’t sold to other lenders.

Here’s how:

1. Visit OptOutPrescreen.com.

2. Choose to opt out for five years or permanently.

3. Complete the necessary forms to secure your privacy.

By opting out, you will significantly reduce the amount of unwanted communication during your mortgage application process.

*Pro Tip: Opt Out at least 48-72 hours prior to having your credit pulled

Voice Your Opinion: Help Stop This Practice

If you, like many homebuyers, believe that this practice is unfair and should be banned, I urge you to contact your local congressman or congresswoman. Let them know how you feel about the harassment caused by trigger leads and urge them to support legislation that protects homebuyers' privacy, called The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act. You can find your representative and easily contact them here.

Together, we can put an end to this frustrating practice and make the homebuying process a little less stressful.

If you have any questions about trigger leads or your mortgage process, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help you every step of the way.

Todd Hanley, RICP®, CMA™