Having credit checked is an important and necessary step in the home buying process. However, very few people realize that each time their credit is checked, the "inquiry data" that the credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, Innovis or Experian) has on file has now become a commodity. This information is being sold by the credit bureaus to other lenders and also to companies that sell and resell the same names and personal information. These "inquiry leads" can include name, address, phone numbers (including unlisted), credit score, current debt and debt history, property information, age, gender and estimated income. Lenders that purchase these leads will often do everything they can to recoup their investment and turn a hefty profit.  Super sneaky bait and switch tactics often used to lure clients away from their reputable lender. Clients have even been called by disreputable lenders and told that the lender they had been speaking to previously "passed on" the information to them, because they knew that they'd be able to offer much better interest rates and terms. The good news is that you can make it stop, right away. The consumer credit reporting industry has provided a way to "opt out" and remove your name from these lists. You can contact them by phone at 1-888-567-8688 or online at www.optoutprescreen.com.   Opting out will also protect you from "pre-approved credit offers" arriving via mail, one of the leading causes of identity theft in the US. Take the time and opt out today.