Whether you’re pre-approved for a mortgage or have just closed the deal, the excitement is likely off the charts! But amidst all this joy, you might run into an unexpected annoyance: a constantly ringing phone and a pile of unsolicited offers from other lenders, credit card companies, and insurance providers. In this blog post, I’ll explain why this happens during your mortgage transaction and how you can avoid the hassle of trigger leads and pre-screened credit offers altogether!
What are Trigger Leads and Pre-Screened Offers?
The culprit behind this influx of mail and phone calls is a practice known as trigger leads. When you apply for credit or financing, like a mortgage, your lender pulls your credit report, marking a “hard inquiry.” This hard inquiry not only helps your lender understand your credit history but also “triggers” a signal to other financial institutions that you’re looking for new credit.
These companies can purchase relevant data from credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to send out marketing offers, resulting in an avalanche of mail.
Guard Yourself from Scams
Many lenders who purchase these leads may bypass mail and call you directly, often masking their number to look local. We’ve heard too many stories of sketchy lenders trying to trick clients into thinking they work with their existing lender. They might say, “I’m working with your loan officer; we missed some important loan information. Can I get your date of birth and Social Security Number again?” or “Can you upload your documents into this online portal instead?” These are unethical practices, and we want you to be aware and take action before it happens to you!
Are Trigger Leads Legal?
Yes, trigger leads are legal. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, they are legal in all 50 states as long as the company buying the trigger leads meets certain requirements. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) encourage this type of competition among lenders because they believe it gives you more buying power by presenting competing offers upfront.
While the intention might be positive, the constant barrage of unsolicited offers can feel intrusive and inconvenient for most people. While I believe good competition keeps me at my best, what I hear from clients is these calls and text messages are super annoying. So, let’s talk about how to opt out!
How to Opt-Out of Trigger Leads
The good news is that you can fight back against this unwanted marketing in just a few minutes! Here are three key resources to help you reduce or eliminate the junk mail and calls initiated by trigger leads:
1. OptOutPrescreen:
• What it does: Allows you to opt-out of receiving pre-screened credit and insurance offers for five years, or permanently.
• How to use it: Visit OptOutPrescreen or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688).
• Cost: Free
• Lead time: Can take up to five days to become effective.
2. National Do Not Call Registry:
• What it does: Registers your phone number to reduce telemarketing calls.
• How to use it: Visit DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.
• Cost: Free
• Lead time: Takes about 31 days to become effective.
3. Direct Marketing Association (DMA) Mail Preference Service:
• What it does: Allows you to choose which catalogs, magazine offers, and other mail you want to receive.
• How to use it: Visit DMAchoice.org
• Cost: $4 processing fee for personal mail (free for deceased individuals or dependents).
• Lead time: Registration lasts for 10 years, but effective dates may vary.
Will Opting Out Stop All Unwanted Pre-Screened Offers?
While these methods can significantly reduce the amount of unwanted marketing you receive, they might not stop it entirely. Some companies may still contact you based on other public information they can access. However, taking a few minutes to opt-out will be well worth the effort!
More Tips to Avoid Pre-Screened Credit Offers:
1. Opt out early: The sooner you take action, the less junk mail you’ll receive.
2. Do this for everyone involved in your loan: If you have a co-borrower or cosigner, they should also opt out for maximum effectiveness.
3. Keep an eye on your credit report: Monitor your credit report yearly for any suspicious activity. You can access your free credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This is not a hard pull on your credit, so no new trigger leads will occur.
Take these steps to enjoy your mortgage journey without the nuisance of unwanted offers!
#MortgageTips #HomeBuying #FinancialLiteracy #OptOut #AvoidScams #TriggerLeads #CreditProtection #HomeLoan #FinancialAdvice #CantorTeamHomeLoans
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