Unwanted Solicitations: What are Trigger Leads & How can you "opt out"? 

Are you receiving too many phone calls for offers of credit after applying for a loan? A "trigger lead" is a marketing report that is sold to other financial agencies to promote pre screened offers. 

What is happening?

When you, the consumer, applies for a loan, your credit is pulled. This is considered a “hard inquiry” with the credit bureaus, and it shows up on your credit record.

Not only that, but the credit bureaus share that data (as a marketing product) with other creditors so they can provide a competitive offer.

Suddenly, you have an onslaught of calls after applying for a loan. These calls come very quickly after their credit is pulled and can come from many different companies.

How do I opt out?

You can opt out of pre-screened offers for 5 years (or permanently) on the web by clicking here or ​​​​​​by phone: 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688).

This opts you out of the 3 national credit bureaus: Experian, Transunion, & Equifax.

* The opt out process can take up to 5 business days, so if a credit report has already been pulled, this will not block solicitors immediately.

National Do Not Call List

You can also add your phone number to the Do Not Call List on the web by clicking here or by phone: 1-888-382-1222, since trigger leads are supposed to be scrubbed against the National Do Not Call list.

How do I file a complaint?

If you want to file a complaint about the misuse of your information contact:

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

Toll-Free Number: (855) 411-CFPB (2372)