Getting a mortgage loan? Beware of the credit bureau.

You've shopped a few lenders, gotten some quotes. You've narrowed your search, supplied a full application, and supporting documents. The lender has now pulled your credit report, and informed you everything looks great. You lock your interest rate, and move forward.

Suddenly, you are overwhelmed with telephone calls and an overflowing mail box with offers from competing mortgage companies. What is going on?

Sadly, there is a new and horrible marketing trend called "trigger lists". Because the lender pulled your credit (they had to), they triggered an unintended event.

The credit bureaus have found another way to increase their revenue at your expense, and WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION.

Having credit checked is an important and necessary step in the home buying process, as well as something that is done for many other legitimate reasons. Very few people realize that each time your credit is checked, an "inquiry" is generated on your personal credit report.

The credit bureau's are now selling your "inquiry data", including name, address, phone number (even unlisted), credit score, current debt, debt history, property information, age, gender, and estimated income. They are selling all this personal and confidential information to anyone who writes them a check!

These low life mortgage lenders purchase these leads at a premium price. They then will do, and say anything they can to recoup their investment and turn a hefty profit. Bait and switch tactics are being used to lure clients away from their reputable lender. Many of our clients have even been called by these disreputable lenders and told that the lender they had been speaking to previously "passed on" the information to them!

The good news is you can make it stop immediately. 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.

You certainly have the right to shop for the best professional to meet your lending needs. This should be done on your terms, when and how YOU chose. Unfortunately at this time, these unsolicited marketing tactics are a nuisance and intrusive, but perfectly legal. Our company, Mortgages Unlimited, and my team are doing everything in our power to limit these credit report abuses. We suggest you call your representatives to let them know how you feel too.

Take the time to protect yourself from identity theft and unwanted solicitations. OPT-OUT NOW!