What Are Trigger Leads?
When a lender pulls your credit report during the mortgage process, the credit bureaus can legally sell your information to other lenders — triggering a flood of unsolicited calls and offers. By following the steps below, you can prevent credit and insurance companies from accessing your information for marketing purposes, effectively stopping those calls before they happen.
Steps to Opt Out
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Go to www.OptOutPrescreen.com
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Scroll down and click the button titled "Click Here to Opt-In or Opt-Out"
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Select one of the opt-out options: "Electronic Opt-Out for 5 Years" or "Permanent Opt-Out by Mail" and click "Continue"
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Complete the form with your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, and current address.
Be sure to enter your name exactly as it appears in the credit bureau's database. All information is confidential and used only to process your opt-out request.
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Click "CONFIRM" to submit the online form.
NOTE: It normally takes up to 5 days before unsolicited calls stop. We recommend completing this form early in the loan process so it's already in effect before your credit report is pulled.
If you choose "Permanent Opt-Out by Mail", the site will generate a form for you to print, sign, and mail back. In the meantime, it will submit your info for the 5-year opt-out on your behalf.
You can also opt out by phone: 1-888-567-8688 (1-888-5OPTOUT)
How Does It Work and Is It Safe?
OptOutPrescreen.com is operated by the four major consumer credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, and Innovis. It provides a centralized platform for consumers to opt out of prescreened credit and insurance offers. The process is fast, simple, and safe. The site is also referenced directly on the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website.