Stop the Spam Before It Starts
Protect Yourself Before Your Mortgage Credit Report is Pulled
If you're preparing to purchase or refinance a home, there's one thing many consumers don't know...
The moment your mortgage credit report is pulled, the credit bureaus may legally sell your information to other lenders.
This often results in:
✔ Multiple unwanted phone calls
✔ Text messages
✔ Emails
✔ Preapproved loan offers arriving in your mailbox
These companies are not affiliated with your loan application, and they did not receive your information from our office.
They purchased your information from the credit bureaus through a process called Prescreened Credit Offers.
Our goal is to educate you so you know what to expect—and, more importantly, how to reduce these unwanted solicitations.
Why Does This Happen?
Federal law allows the major credit bureaus to sell consumer information to lenders who purchase marketing lists.
Once your mortgage credit inquiry is made, participating lenders may receive limited information indicating that someone is shopping for a mortgage.
Many consumers receive dozens—or even hundreds—of calls during the first several days after their credit is pulled.
Fortunately, you have options.
Option 1 – Opt Out of Prescreened Credit Offers
This helps reduce the preapproved credit and insurance offers arriving in your mailbox.
Visit:
OptOutPrescreen.com
There you can:
- Opt Out electronically
- Select the 5-Year Electronic Opt-Out
- Complete the online form
- Save your confirmation for your records
Option 2 – Register Your Phone Number
Reduce unwanted telemarketing calls.
Visit:
DoNotCall.gov
Then:
- Select Register Your Phone
- Register your mobile and home numbers
- Confirm the registration through the email you receive
When Should I Do This?
Ideally:
Complete both registrations BEFORE your mortgage credit is pulled.
While it cannot guarantee every call will stop, it can significantly reduce unwanted solicitations.
Important to Know
If another lender contacts you after your credit is pulled:
- They did not receive your information from our office.
- They purchased your information through the credit bureaus.
- Your personal financial documents were never shared by us.
Your privacy is extremely important to us.