What Are Trigger Leads and How BOS Keeps Your Information Safe

If you’re shopping for a personal loan or mortgage, you may have heard about trigger leads, a common marketing practice in the lending industry. 

But what exactly are trigger leads, and what do they mean for your privacy?

What Are Trigger Leads?

Trigger leads occur when your credit report is pulled during a loan or mortgage application, signaling your active search for financing. Within 24 hours, Credit Bureaus add your information to a list accessible by other companies offering loans, insurance, or credit. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Consumer Credit Reporting Companies can include your name on lists that creditors or insurers purchase to obtain your information and contact you with unsolicited offers.

However, you have the right to opt out to prevent this sharing. While trigger leads can connect you to financing opportunities, they may also lead to frequent, overwhelming outreach and broader sharing of your personal financial information than you might expect.

How to Opt Out of Trigger Leads

You can reduce unwanted solicitations by opting out of trigger leads, ideally before applying for loans, credit cards, or insurance. Opting out limits how widely your information is shared after a credit inquiry. Here are three ways to opt out:

Online:

Visit optoutprescreen.com. You’ll need to provide your name, Social Security number, and date of birth to verify your identity. Then you can choose to opt out for five years or permanently.

By Phone:

Call 1-888-567-8688 to submit your opt-out request. Processing typically takes about five business days, so allow enough time before applying for credit.

Do Not Call Registry:

To reduce unsolicited calls related to trigger leads, add your phone number to the Do Not Call List at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.

Taking these steps helps you manage incoming offers and protects your privacy by limiting the sharing of your personal information.

Secure Your Credit with a Credit Freeze

Another effective step to protect your personal information is to freeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus after submitting any loan or mortgage applications.

• A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, helping prevent unauthorized lenders or identity thieves from opening accounts in your name.

• Initiate a credit freeze by contacting each of the three major credit bureaus individually
  • Equifax: equifax.com
  • Experian: experian.com
  • TransUnion: transunion.com

• Keep in mind: If you're applying for new credit, you’ll need to temporarily lift the freeze so lenders can access your report.
    

  Learn More About Free Credit Freezes

How BOS Protects Your Privacy

At BOS, protecting your privacy is our top priority. We never sell your personal info or credit inquiries. We’re committed to supporting your financial goals while keeping your information secure and confidential. Read our Privacy Policy to learn more. 

Read our Privacy Policy to learn more.