Buying a House? Stop the Junk Mail and Calls Before It Starts

If you have ever applied for a mortgage, you probably noticed a sudden spike in unsolicited calls and junk mail. Many of these letters might look like they are coming from your mortgage lender, but they are often misleading advertisements from third parties.

Read on to learn why this happens, how to spot these “trigger lead” offers, and how to stop them using optoutprescreen.com.

Why Do You Get Junk Mail After Applying for a Mortgage?

There are two primary ways solicitors obtain your information during the mortgage process. While Southern Trust Mortgage does NOT sell client data to a third parties, the credit reporting system itself triggers these unwanted contacts. We want our homebuyers to be empowered to protect their information.

1. Credit Inquiries and “Trigger Leads”
   When you apply for a mortgage, your lender preforms a “hard pull” on your credit. This notifies the three major credit bureaus that you are officially in the market for financing. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), bureaus are permitted to sell your name to other creditors or insurers who want to make offers. These are known as Trigger Leads. Within hours of your application, competing lenders may begin blowing up your phone with “better rates” or “special incentives”.
   
   Pro Tip: Southern Trust Mortgage is committed to protecting your privacy. We start with a soft inquiry upfront when you apply. This eliminates these initial trigger leads. Then we encourage buyers to opt-out before doing a hard pull.

2. Post-Closing Junk Mail
   Once close on your home, certain details, like your name, address, lender, and loan amount, become public record at the county level. Marketers monitor these records to send you everything from pest control to Mortgage Protection Insurance.

How to Stop Unsolicited Credit Offers

The FCRA gives you the right to “opt-out” of pre-screened credit offers. This prevents credit bureaus from providing your information for these unsolicited lists.

For Immediate Protection (5 Years): Visit optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-567-8688. This is the fastest way to reduce calls before you apply for a loan.

For Permanent Protection: You can opt-out permanently by mail.

Pro Tip: We recommend starting with the electronic opt-out during the application process, then following up with the permanent mail-in request after you get your keys. This will reduce the time it takes for the opt-out to go into effect.

Important Note: The safety of your information is important to us. Optoutprescreen.com is a secure website and is the only internet website authorized by Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion for consumers to opt-out of firm offers of credit or insurance.

How to Spot “Fake” Mortgage Mail

Many letters you receive after closing are designed to look official. They may use urgent language (“Final Notice”) or include your lender’s name in bold. Look for these red flags:

Vague Messaging: Phrases like “Important Insurance Information” without a specific policy number.

The Fine Print: Look at the bottom of the page. Legitimate junk mail must include a disclaimer stating: “information obtained from public records” or “Not affiliated with [Your Mortgage Lender].”

Typos: Professional lenders rarely have glaring spelling errors in official correspondence.

If you spot one of these fake letters, don’t just toss it in the trash. Make sure to shred the letter to better protect your information once you throw it away.

Reduce General Marketing Mail

To reduce general junk mail (catalogs, magazines, etc.) for 10 years, register at DMAchoice.org, the Association of National Advertisers’ (ANA) website. While it won’t stop every flyer, it significantly cleans up your mailbox. You can choose what catalogs, magazine offers, and other mail you want to get.  There is a small fee of $8 to register online or $9 to register by mail.  

When in Doubt, Don’t Toss It!

While most unsolicited mail is junk, your actual mortgage company will send you important documents regarding your escrow, taxes, or payoff information. If you aren’t sure if a letter is legitimate, don’t guess. Call you loan officer, they are happy to help verify it for you!