Most people in our industry know that when we pull someones credit 1 of the 3 credit bureaus will sell that credit pull as a lead.  The request is sold as a "trigger lead" to companies that buy mortgage leads and most of the time it is done without the client's knowledge.  I know that they sell your name, address, phone number, and possibly your cell phone number.  They gather this information when the mortgage company enters your info in order to pull credit.  Once your credit is pulled the lead is sold within 1 minute to companies nationwide. 

Somehow this is still legal but the bureaus had to create a system for people to "opt out". 

If you are shopping for a mortgage or you have a client that will be talking with a mortgage company soon, make sure they visit www.OptOutPreScreen.com and they electronically "opt out".  This will protect their credit information from being sold, and they won't get hundreds of phone calls and letters in the mail. 

This system also helps cut down on the junk mail that you receive, or it is supposed to!  When you take your name off of junk mail lists you are really helping protect your identity.

What you do is visit the site, choose to "electronically opt out for 5 years" and then follow the steps.  After 24 hours you should be fine, but if you can do this a few days before applying you will be better protected. 

This should also help your credit because it shows that you are being proactive about protecting your identity information.  Either way you can decide to "opt in" if you want to receive these offers and junk mail but I really don't think many people go for that option!

Hope this information helps and let me know if you have any questions.  I teach this information to all my referral partners and mortgage clients and if you want more helpful info just call my cell phone at 603-867-0270 or email me at Mark@VisionMortgageMA.com and I would be more than happy to help.

Good luck!