You finally take the big step—you apply for a mortgage or preapproval. But before you can even breathe a sigh of relief, your phone starts blowing up with calls, texts, and emails from lenders you’ve never heard of. Many people who apply for a mortgage or preapproval in New Hampshire are surprised to receive a flood of calls from other lenders—often within hours. This frustrating experience is usually the result of something called trigger leads, a little-known but legal practice in the mortgage industry.
What just happened?
Welcome to the world of trigger leads—a little-known industry practice that’s caused a major headache for homebuyers in NH and across the country. Many people who apply for a mortgage or mortgage preapproval find that they’re barraged with phone calls from other lenders almost immediately. It’s not a coincidence—and it’s not your lender selling your information. What’s really happening is this: when your credit is pulled for a mortgage inquiry, the credit bureau(s) sell your information to other lenders. These sales are called trigger leads—and they’re a big business.
But here’s the good news: this practice may soon be coming to an end.
What Are Trigger Leads?
Trigger leads happen when a credit bureau sees that your credit has been pulled for a mortgage inquiry. They then sell your contact info to other lenders, who race to reach out and win your business.
It’s completely legal—but incredibly frustrating. And it has nothing to do with your loan officer selling your information (they didn’t).
Why Is This a Problem?
- It’s confusing. You may think one of the calls is from your actual lender.
- It’s overwhelming. Some buyers get dozens of calls within 24 hours.
- It feels invasive. You didn’t agree to this—and you shouldn’t have to deal with it during such an important decision.
Help Is on the Way
Lawmakers have taken notice, and this month brought real progress toward change:
- The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 2808) passed the House Financial Services Committee unanimously.
- The Trigger Leads Bill (S. 1467) passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate.
This legislation would ban or limit the sale of trigger leads, protecting consumers from being flooded with unsolicited offers just for exploring their mortgage options.
Is It in Effect Yet?
Not yet. The House and Senate still need to reconcile their versions of the bill, and then the final version must be signed by the President.
Once signed into law, the ban would take effect 180 days later.
What Can You Do in the Meantime?
- Opt out of prescreened credit offers at www.optoutprescreen.com.
- Talk to your loan officer—they can walk you through what to expect and help you protect your privacy.
- Don’t engage with unsolicited calls unless you’re absolutely sure who you’re talking to.
Final Thoughts
Trigger leads may be legal for now, but thanks to growing awareness and bipartisan support, they may soon be a thing of the past. In the meantime, working with a loan officer you trust can help you stay focused—and avoid unnecessary distractions.
Have questions or want a mortgage experience with no surprises and no sales pressure? I’d be honored to help. Find my contact info here.
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