Why You Should Opt Out of Prescreened Credit Offers

https://www.optoutprescreen.com/

When you apply for a mortgage or any type of loan, you expect to hear back from your lender. But what you might not expect is a flood of unwanted calls and offers from lenders you’ve never heard of. This happens because of prescreened credit offers, also known as trigger leads—and they can make your homebuying process much more stressful.

In this article, we’ll explain why opting out of prescreened credit offers is essential and how you can do it easily using OptOutPrescreen.com.

What Are Prescreened Credit Offers?

Prescreened credit offers occur when major credit bureaus—TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian—sell your data to lenders and marketing companies after a hard credit inquiry. This is a common practice in the mortgage industry, but it often leads to an overwhelming number of calls, emails, and even mail solicitations from competing lenders.

Why This Happens

• When you apply for a mortgage, credit agencies see your credit inquiry as an opportunity for other lenders to market similar loan products.
• Your information gets bundled and sold to hundreds, sometimes thousands, of call centers and lenders.
• These companies then bombard you with calls for weeks—even months—offering mortgage loans you never requested.

This practice is not illegal (yet), but it’s widely criticized as a violation of privacy.

---

The Downsides of Trigger Leads

While prescreened credit offers are marketed as a way to provide consumers with competitive options, they come with significant downsides:

📞 Endless Unwanted Calls

Once your data is sold, you can expect dozens of daily calls from different lenders, often from unrecognizable or even spoofed numbers. This makes it harder to focus on choosing the right mortgage lender.

⚠️ Higher Risk of Scams

Not all calls from trigger leads are legitimate. Some scammers pose as lenders, using aggressive tactics to pressure you into revealing sensitive information or making quick decisions.

❌ Confusion & Decision Fatigue

Too many loan offers can make the mortgage process more overwhelming. Many first-time homebuyers end up frustrated or misled by lenders who use high-pressure sales tactics.

🕵️ Your Data Is Being Sold Without Your Consent

Even though it’s legal, many consumers don’t realize that their personal financial information is being shared without their direct approval. Opting out protects your privacy.

---

How to Opt Out of Prescreened Credit Offers

The best way to stop these intrusive solicitations is by opting out of prescreened credit offers through OptOutPrescreen.com. This is the official site supported by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies.

✅ Steps to Opt Out

1. Visit OptOutPrescreen.com
2. Choose how to opt out
   • 5-year opt-out (Online)
   • Permanent opt-out (Mail-in form required)
3. Verify your identity by providing some personal information.
4. Submit your request and confirm via email if necessary.

🚨 Important: Opting out only prevents prescreened offers from being sold—it does not affect your credit score or your ability to apply for credit when you choose to.

---

Will Congress Ban Trigger Leads?

Due to growing concerns about consumer privacy, Congress is taking steps to ban trigger leads altogether.

• 2023: Bills were introduced in Congress to restrict or eliminate the practice. (Source)
• 2024: The Senate passed a bill banning trigger leads, and it’s now awaiting a vote in the House. (Source)
• 2025 Budget: The proposed federal budget includes a measure to prohibit trigger leads nationwide. (Source)

While legislative action is moving forward, these laws are not in effect yet—which means opting out remains the best way to protect yourself right now.

---

Protect Your Privacy and Your Sanity

Applying for a mortgage should be an exciting step toward homeownership, not an invitation for unwanted calls and spam. By opting out of prescreened credit offers, you can:
✅ Stop lenders from selling your personal data
✅ Reduce unwanted phone calls and emails
✅ Avoid scams and high-pressure sales tactics
✅ Stay in control of your mortgage process

At 719 Lending, we believe in transparent, stress-free home financing. If you’re planning to buy a home in Colorado Springs, let’s talk about your mortgage options without the hassle of trigger leads.

🔹 Need expert mortgage advice? Contact 719 Lending today! 🔹