So what is a trigger list and how does it work?

Each time that you apply for a credit card, auto loan, mortgage or refinance, your personal information is distributed to lenders, insurance, and credit card companies who have subscribed to product known as a “trigger list”.

• Prospective creditors purchase a subscription to a trigger list service. They set the criteria for their list - for example, anyone who has applied for a mortgage or refinance, in a certain area code, with a FICO score of at least 720. They also choose what additional information they would like to have included: names, addresses, phone numbers, mortgage balances, etc. as well as how often they would like to receive the list (daily or weekly).
• When you apply for a mortgage or refinance, your chosen lender orders a credit report (with your permission).
• Within hours of ordering your report, your file is red flagged by the major credit reporting agencies for inclusion in trigger lists.
• If your profile matches the conditions of any trigger list subscribers, your personal information is sent to those subscribers.
• Shortly thereafter, the subscriber makes you a “firm offer of credit”, usually by mail, e-mail or phone call.

How to stop the trigger lists

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You may opt out of trigger lists and other pre-screened offers of credit safely and securely online at http://www.optoutprescreen.com/ or by calling 1–888-567-8688. Submitting your opt-out request takes less than five minutes and is the only way to prevent credit reporting agencies from reselling your personal information each time you apply for credit. Requests can take up to 5 days to process, so don’t delay - opt out today!

You may also want to add your phone number to the National Do-Not-Call Registry (https://www.donotcall.gov/) at this time.

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