What Are Trigger Leads? And How to Opt Out

Have you ever applied for a loan and then started getting phone calls or emails from other companies offering you loans too? These messages are called “trigger leads”. They happen because credit bureaus, like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, sell your information to other lenders. Any time you apply for a loan, credit card, or insurance, the lender checks your credit report. That credit check becomes a “trigger,” and your name, contact details, and the date of the credit check can be sold to other companies.

 

After you apply for a loan, credit, or insurance, you might start getting a lot of spam phone calls, texts, emails, or letters from other lenders. These messages can be annoying, confusing, and unwanted—but they are legal. The idea behind trigger leads is to help you compare offers and find the best deal. Even though Sunmark Credit Union and other banks can’t stop trigger leads from happening, there are things you can do to reduce the number of these messages you get.
 

Although trigger leads may be legal, there are steps members can take to opt out and limit the number of unwanted communications they receive.
 

National Do Not Call Register | www.donotcall.gov
Register your phone number for free to avoid telemarketing phone calls, or report unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission.

Opt-Out | www.optoutprescreen.com
Opt-out of credit/insurance/loan offers and prevent consumer credit reporting companies from sharing your credit information to other lenders. You can choose to opt out permanently or for a five year period.

If you have any questions or concerns about trigger leads or how to prevent your information from being shared, please reach out to your Sunmark Credit Union loan officer, call 866.SUNMARK, or visit your nearest financial center. 

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