Bipartisan “Trigger Leads” Legislation Moves to President’s Desk
The California Association of Mortgage Professionals (CAMP), a nonprofit organization representing the interests of mortgage loan brokers and originators, is proud to celebrate the Senate’s passage of the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act, commonly referred to as the “Trigger Leads” bill. With prior approval from the U.S. House of Representatives in June, the bill now heads to the White House, where it awaits the President’s signature to become law.
This bipartisan legislation, led by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN), along with Representatives John Rose (R-TN) and Ritchie Torres (D-NY), is seen as a major step forward in protecting consumer data privacy during the mortgage application process. For years, mortgage applicants have faced a barrage of unsolicited offers from unknown lenders after applying for a loan—often caused by the sale of their personal information through credit bureau “trigger leads.”
Trigger leads occur when a credit inquiry related to a mortgage application is made. In response, credit reporting agencies may sell that data to competing lenders, prompting a wave of cold calls, emails, and texts that can be overwhelming and confusing for borrowers.
“Since 2018, CAMP has been at the forefront of this issue, consistently advocating for an end to this invasive practice,” the organization said in a statement. “We applaud the U.S. Senate for taking meaningful action to protect homebuyers from aggressive marketing tactics and safeguard their financial privacy.”
The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act curbs the misuse of sensitive data collected during credit checks by preventing its exploitation for unsolicited marketing. It aims to restore consumer confidence in the mortgage process and uphold trust between borrowers and their chosen lenders.
CAMP President Jason Bellevue called the bill a long-overdue win for consumers:
“This legislation is not just a policy victory—it’s a protection for every individual trying to buy a home without being hounded or misled by unknown parties. It ensures the mortgage process remains focused on trust, security, and transparency.”
Mortgage professionals across the country have voiced concerns about the impact of trigger leads on borrowers, noting that the deluge of messages often undermines relationships already established with trusted lenders and creates unnecessary confusion for homebuyers making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.
With the bill now poised for enactment, CAMP expresses its deep appreciation to the lawmakers and advocates who championed this issue and pushed it through both chambers of Congress. Their commitment to consumer protection, data security, and fair housing practices sets a strong precedent for future reforms in the mortgage and finance industries.
