Congress Finally Bans “Trigger Leads” — Here’s What That Means for Homebuyers

Ever applied for a mortgage and then had your phone blow up with hundreds of calls from random lenders you’ve never heard of?

Yeah… that’s because of something called trigger leads.

And thankfully, Congress is finally stepping in to stop it.

Here’s what’s been happening:
When you apply for a mortgage, your lender pulls your credit report. That credit inquiry sends an alert to the credit bureaus that you’re shopping for a loan. From there, the credit bureaus have been selling that information to other lenders — who then add your name and number to massive call lists.

Suddenly, your contact info is being sold and resold across multiple companies, and your phone starts ringing nonstop with competing offers. Even worse, there’s been no real way to opt out of it.

But this past week, Congress passed the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act, a bill that officially bans the sale of those trigger leads.

The legislation passed with strong bipartisan support and was backed by the National Association of REALTORS®, as well as many consumer protection groups. It’s scheduled to take effect March 6, 2026.

So what does that mean for buyers?

It means that soon, when you apply for a mortgage, your private information can’t be sold to competitors trying to poach you. Your phone number, email, and financial data will stay between you and your chosen lender — just like it should.

This is a big win for consumers, as well as for agents and lenders who play by the rules. It helps protect your privacy, reduce confusion, and restore a sense of trust in the homebuying process.

For years, the mortgage industry has been asking for reform on this issue. Many buyers assumed their lender was the one selling their information — when in reality, it was the credit bureaus profiting from those trigger leads. With this new law, that practice will finally come to an end.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, this change is an important step toward a safer and more transparent lending experience.

If you have any questions about buying, selling, or navigating today’s real estate market, give us a call or slide into the DMs. We’d love to help you make your next move with confidence.