You just applied for a mortgage—or better yet, you just closed on your new home. Exciting times, right? Then the phone rings… again. And again. Suddenly, you’re drowning in calls, mailers, and sketchy offers from lenders you’ve never heard of. What gives?
Welcome to the world of trigger leads and pre-screened credit offers—a marketing tactic that kicks in the moment your credit is pulled for a mortgage. Here’s why it happens and how you can shut it down before it drives you nuts.
What Are Mortgage Trigger Leads?
When you apply for a home loan, your lender checks your credit report. This is known as a hard inquiry. But here’s the catch—when that happens, credit bureaus (like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) are allowed to sell your info to other companies looking for customers just like you.
Those companies then flood your inbox and your voicemail with “exclusive” offers—often from competing lenders, credit card companies, and insurance providers.
Are Trigger Leads Even Legal?
Believe it or not, yes—they’re legal in all 50 states. The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows lenders and insurers to send you pre-screened offers as long as they follow certain guidelines.
In theory, this promotes competition and gives consumers more options. In reality, it often feels like spammy chaos. Worse, some companies use shady tactics to make it sound like they’re connected to your current lender. Don’t fall for it.
Common Trigger Lead Scams to Watch Out For
Some of these callers get aggressive—and deceptive. We’ve heard of companies pretending to be affiliated with the original lender, asking borrowers to “reconfirm” their Social Security number, upload documents, or share personal info. These are red flags.
At My City Lending, we take your privacy seriously and want you to be informed so you can shut this down fast.
How to Opt Out and Reclaim Your Peace
Here’s how to cut off the flood of unwanted calls and mail:
1. OptOutPrescreen.com
What it does: Stops pre-screened credit and insurance offers for 5 years—or forever.
How to do it: Visit www.optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688)
Cost: Free
Takes effect: Within 5 days
2. National Do Not Call Registry
What it does: Reduces telemarketing calls to your home and mobile numbers.
How to do it: Visit www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222
Cost: Free
Takes effect: Within 31 days
3. DMAchoice (Direct Marketing Association)
What it does: Lets you choose which catalogs, offers, and ads you receive by mail.
How to do it: Visit www.dmachoice.org
Cost: $4 (processing fee for a 10-year opt-out)
Takes effect: Varies by company
Bonus Tips to Stay Protected:
Start early. Opt out as soon as you apply for your mortgage—or before.
Include all borrowers. If you have a co-borrower or cosigner, they need to opt out too.
Check your credit reports regularly. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to access one free report per bureau, per year.
Return junk mail. If you keep getting offers after opting out, mark them “Refused: Return to Sender” and drop them back in the mailbox.
My City Lending: We’re On Your Side
We know the mortgage process can already feel overwhelming. You shouldn’t have to deal with spam calls and shady offers too. At My City Lending, we’re committed to protecting your privacy and making sure your mortgage experience is smooth and secure from start to finish.
Questions? Contact your local My City Lending loan officer today and we’ll help you get ahead of the noise—so you can focus on your future, not your voicemail.
