Why Did I Just Get 20 Calls After Filling Out a Mortgage Form?

Key Takeaways:

• 📣 Those calls are coming from lenders who bought your info after your credit was checked.
• 🧾 Credit bureaus legally sell that info through something called a “trigger lead.”
• 🔒 You can take steps to stop the flood of calls.

What’s Actually Happening?

When you apply for a mortgage, the lender checks your credit. This action sends a signal to credit bureaus like Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian that you’re shopping for a loan.

🔔 Here Come the “Trigger Leads”

The credit bureaus then turn around and sell that signal—along with some of your basic info—to other lenders. These lenders now know you’re in the market and start calling you, hoping to beat your original lender's offer.

⚖️ Is This Legal?

Yes. It’s allowed under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The idea is that more offers mean more choices for you. But let’s be real—it mostly feels like spam.

🛑 How to Slow the Calls

• Opt out of trigger leads: Go to OptOutPrescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT.
• Use the Do Not Call List: Add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry.
• Download a call blocker: There are free apps that zap spam calls before they reach you.
• Don’t give out info: If you didn’t ask them to call, don’t tell them anything. Hang up.

🚪 Final Word

You didn’t do anything wrong. But once your credit gets pulled, the eager lenders start circling. Luckily, you can take control and cut off the noise.