Steps You Can Take to Reduce Telemarketing Calls

Across the mortgage industry, customers are complaining about receiving unsolicited mortgage offers and wondering why they’re being bombarded with these calls. Their first question is often, “Did you sell my information?”. Rest assured, BankSouth Mortgage is not in the business of selling your information. What’s happening is an industry-wide issue caused by “trigger lead” sales. Credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, Innovis, or TransUnion may sell your data as a “trigger lead” to other lenders.

At BankSouth Mortgage, we are committed to protecting your information, and we want to help you regain control over how your information is shared. In this article, we’ll explain why these calls occur and provide you with practical steps to prevent them.

Understanding Trigger Leads

After applying for a mortgage, many applicants immediately start receiving calls and messages from other lenders looking to offer their products and services. This leaves customers wondering how other lenders know about the mortgage application, and they begin to question the security of their information. The truth is, it’s the credit bureaus that sell this information to lenders and other companies. Although this practice is legal, we understand it can be frustrating. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prevent these calls in the future.

Taking Control and Minimizing Calls

To regain control over the frequency of these calls, you have a few options. While they may not eliminate all telemarketing calls and will not take immediate effect, they can significantly reduce the frequency of unwanted solicitations.

1. Opting Out of Pre-Screened Offers: If you prefer not to receive calls for pre-screened credit and insurance offers, you can take action by visiting www.optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPTOUT to opt out of these offers. By doing so, you inform credit bureaus that you no longer wish to receive such offers. It’s important to note that this process may take up to five (5) days to go into effect, but it is highly effective in reducing the number of calls from lenders and insurance companies.
2. National Do Not Call Registry: Adding your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry provides an additional layer of protection against telemarketing calls. You can register your number by visiting www.donotcall.gov or calling 1-888-382-1222. While this won’t prevent all calls, it is a proactive step toward reducing their frequency.

Ensure Security while Opting Out

Both of these actions require you to provide personal information to process your request. Prior to sharing any personal details, it is crucial to verify the website’s security or ensure you have dialed the correct contact number. Confirming the legitimacy and security of the platform you are using will safeguard your sensitive information.

BankSouth Mortgage is Here for You

We understand the frustration caused by unwanted telemarketing calls, and we want to empower you to take control of your information sharing. While BankSouth Mortgage does not sell your information, trigger leads may result in unsolicited offers from other lenders. By opting out of pre-screened offers and registering on the National Do Not Call Registry, you can significantly reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive. Remember to exercise caution when providing personal information and always confirm the legitimacy of the platforms you engage with.

Your privacy matters to us, and we’re here to assist you every step of the way. You can access our Privacy Policy here: https://banksouthmortgage.com/privacy-policy/

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