Big News for Homebuyers: A New Law Protects Your Privacy When Applying for a Mortgage

On September 5, 2025, an important milestone in consumer protection became law. The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act of 2025, better known as the “trigger leads bill”, was signed into law and will take effect on March 5, 2026.

This legislation is designed to give borrowers more control over their personal information and to put an end to a frustrating practice that many homebuyers and homeowners know all too well.

What Are Trigger Leads?

If you’ve ever applied for a mortgage and suddenly found your phone ringing nonstop with calls from unfamiliar lenders, you’ve experienced a trigger lead.

Trigger leads are marketing leads that are generated when someone applies for a mortgage. When a lender pulls a borrower’s credit report, the credit bureaus - Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion - can see that the borrower is in the market for a home loan. The credit bureaus then sell that information as a “trigger lead” to other mortgage lenders, banks, or insurance companies, who often begin contacting the borrower.  

Many consumers find this to be a privacy issue since they didn’t knowingly authorize the sale of their information, and the influx of calls, texts, and emails can quickly become overwhelming. To make matters worse, some solicitors can be deceptive and lead the consumer to mistakenly believe the calls are from their original lender, which adds to the confusion

According to a 2023 survey by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), more than 70% of mortgage applicants reported receiving unsolicited calls or emails after applying, and many said the outreach made the mortgage process more stressful and overwhelming.

How the New Law Helps

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act introduces strict limits on when and how consumer information can be shared. In practice, this means:

• Your personal data can’t be sold just because you applied for a mortgage.

• You’ll no longer be bombarded by a flood of calls, emails, or texts from unfamiliar lenders right after applying.

• The mortgage process will become more private, respectful, and efficient - allowing borrowers to focus on working with their chosen lender.

Bob Broeksmit, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association, praised the bill as “a major victory for mortgage borrowers,” adding that it will make for a smoother and less stressful homebuying journey.

What This Means for Borrowers and Business Partners

For borrowers, this law means a more private and respectful home loan process. Instead of worrying about who has your information, you can focus on what really matters, finding the right loan and the right home.

For real estate agents, attorneys, and financial advisors, this legislation strengthens trust between you and your clients. You can reassure them that their data will be safer, and their mortgage journey will be more straightforward.

What You Can Do Until March 5, 2026

Since the law won’t take effect until next spring, borrowers may still experience trigger lead solicitations in the meantime. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize them:

1. Opt Out of Trigger Leads

   Visit www.optoutprescreen.com to prevent the credit bureaus from selling your information. The process takes about five days to go into effect and will protect you in future transactions.

   
   

2. Reduce Unwanted Calls

   Register your phone number with the Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov. While this won’t block every call, it can significantly cut down telemarketing outreach.

Why This Matters

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. You deserve the right to navigate the mortgage process without the noise, pressure, and privacy concerns that trigger leads create.

At Northpoint Mortgage, we’re committed to protecting your personal information and ensuring your experience is clear, stress-free, and fully in your control.

If you’re interested in buying a home or refinancing your current one, reach out to a local Northpoint Loan Officer today!