A trigger lead allows credit card companies, insurance companies, and lenders to market to new potential business.

Most of us have searched for prices and rates or tried to get pre-approved online regarding credit cards, insurance, or mortgages, and then suddenly, we get an influx of calls, texts, or emails which can leave us irritated.

So why does this happen? How do all these companies get our contact information? It’s all due to what is called “trigger leads.”

I am sure your next question is, “What is a trigger lead?” A trigger lead happens when you okay a credit or finance company to pull your credit. Once you approve them, that credit pull is known as a “hard inquiry” on your credit report.

That hard inquiry intuitively “triggers” lenders that you are looking for a new line of credit. Lenders purchase data from the major credit bureaus.

Your next question might be, “Are trigger leads legal?”

Here’s how our home loan process works:

• Yes, trigger leads are legal in all 50 states if the company buying the leads meets all the legal conditions.
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) support trigger leads because they feel it will give consumers a chance at getting the best financing possible.
• So, even though trigger leads can be irritating, they are legal and meant to benefit consumers, even though it doesn’t always feel that way.

These companies use the purchased trigger leads to promote their auto loans, credit cards, insurance programs, and lending opportunities, either personal loan or mortgages, to receive more business.

Many different companies purchase trigger leads:

Can you Opt-Out of Trigger Leads?

Yes, you can opt out of trigger leads. There are options to cut down or omit unsolicited contact from these companies.

You can Register with the Do Not Call List:

You can register with the Do Not Call List if you are bombarded with emails, texts, snail mail, or phone calls. To opt out of these lists, visit:DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.

You can Opt-Out of Pre-Approved Credit and Insurance offers:

Avoid getting pre-approved credit offers and insurance offers in the mail.

Opt-Out of Prescreened Mail offers:

• To Opt-out for five years: Go to optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688).
• To opt-out permanently: visit:optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) to start the process. To complete your request, you’ll need to sign and return the Permanent Opt-Out Election form (which you get online) once you’ve started the process.
• So, even though trigger leads can be irritating, they are legal and meant to benefit consumers, even though it doesn’t always feel that way.

Please note that when you call or visit optoutprescreen.com, they ask for your name, address, social security number, and date of birth. The information you give is confidential and will be used only to process your request to opt-out.

Requests to opt-out process within five days, but it may take several weeks before you stop getting offers.

Should you opt out of trigger leads?

We’ve already established that trigger leads can be annoying. But there are good reasons to allow companies to continue to contact you, especially if you’re in the market for a loan, credit card, or insurance.

Reasons to continue receiving these credit offers:

• These offers can help you learn what is available, compare the costs and find the best product.
• Since you were pre-approved to get the offer, you will only be turned down under limited circumstances.

The terms of pre-approved offers may be better than those obtainable to the general public. Some of these offers from credit card or insurance companies are only available through these offers.

If you aren’t in the market for financing or insurance or don’t want unsolicited offers, you might opt-out. But remember that if a company’s offer is based on something other than your pre-approval, opting out will continue their mailings. They can still send you general marketing information, just not based on trigger leads.

Opting Out of Trigger Leads FAQs:

• What if you opt-out and then change your mind? You can use the same website, optoutprescreen.com, or a toll-free number to opt back in.
• Does opting out of trigger leads impact your credit score? No. Removing your name from pre-approved lists does not affect your credit score or your ability to apply for credit or insurance.
• Will opting out stop all unsolicited offers of credit and insurance? No. Calling the opt-out line or visiting the site will contain only pre-approved offers based on lists from the major credit bureaus.

You may keep getting offers for credit and insurance based on lists from other sources. For example, opting out will continue requests from local merchants, religious groups, charities, professional and alums associations, and companies you already do business with.

To stop mail from groups like these — as well as mail addressed to “occupant” or “resident” — contact each source directly.

Take-Away:

Trigger leads enable companies to see when you’re in the market for credit so they can market their services to you. The upside is that you may find a better deal because of their marketing. But the downside is that receiving unsolicited offers can feel annoying and invasive. You can opt out of solicitations from credit and insurance companies and sign up for the national Do Not Call registry.