After a long day at work, you are ready to relax and enjoy dinner. Then, just as you sit down to eat, the telephone rings. A stranger is "cold-calling" to try and sell you something. This scenario is likely familiar to you, since people throughout the United States receive calls from telemarketers. And if you recently completed an application for a home mortgage or home refinance loan, the chances of getting calls may increase. These calls are referred to as trigger leads. Ameris Bank does not initiate these calls, nor do we sell your information. Keep reading to learn why you might be the recipient of unwanted calls, how to stop them and how to protect your personal information.

What is a Trigger Lead?

A trigger lead is created when someone completes and submits a home mortgage or refinance loan application. The applicant gives their bank or lender permission to pull their credit report, which is part of the application review process. When the bank or lender pulls the applicant's credit, the action is referred to as a "hard inquiry" with Experian®, TransUnion® and Equifax®.  When you apply for a home mortgage or refinance, the "big three" national credit bureaus are notified and can sell your information to third parties in the lending industry. This creates a trigger lead, causing lenders, loan officers and brokers to contact you.

Yes, Trigger Leads are Legal

Many people wonder if creating trigger leads and soliciting mortgage loan applicants is legal, and the answer is yes. It is not against the law for Experian®, TransUnion® and Equifax® to sell your information to other lenders, loan officers and loan brokers. These credit bureaus follow all regulations and guidelines set forth by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). In addition, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which protects the public from unfair business practices, has long supported selling trigger leads. The information sold usually includes your name, address, and loan inquiry type, though it may vary by credit bureau.

How to Opt-Out

If unsolicited calls and emails sound overwhelming, there are steps you can take to avoid unwanted interruptions.

• Register your phone number. Register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov or by calling (888) 382-1222 to reduce telemarketing calls. This service is free.
• Opt-out from pre-screened offers. Sign up at www.OptOutPrescreen.com or call (888) 5-OPT-OUT to opt out from receiving pre-approved or pre-screened finance or credit offers. This is the official website for the consumer credit reporting industry. This service is also free.
• Block unwanted calls. Use the call-blocking features on your cell phone to prevent certain callers from contacting you in the future. By blocking unwanted calls, you can avoid interruptions in your daily routine.
• Consider a paid service. DMAChoice offers a signature program designed to block specific marketing messages from being delivered to your email, mailbox and phone. DMAChoice charges a nominal fee for a 10-year registration.

What About Credit Card Offers I Find In My Mailbox

In addition to receiving phone and email solicitations, you may find pre-approved or pre-qualified credit card offers in your mailbox. If these credit card offers are bothersome, you can opt out of receiving them by signing up at www.OptOutPrescreen.com or calling (888) 5-OPT-OUT. You can also write a letter to Experian®, TransUnion® and Equifax® to request that your personal information no longer be sold or shared for direct mailing lists.

Protect Your Identity

Don’t make the mistake of discarding credit card offers without shredding them. Criminals steal mail and search trash cans to find documents containing valuable personal information. This information is then used to open new accounts in their names, leading to financial loss and damage to your credit score. Ameris Bank offers an online Privacy and Cybersecurity Center with tips to protect your information and prevent fraud. Make it a point to check this site as often as possible. The opinions in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Ameris Bank does not endorse nor is affiliated with the companies listed in this article.


Reviewed April 2025
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Ameris Bank is not affiliated nor endorses the companies referenced in this article.