How do these companies get your information?
When you sign the closing documents and take possession of your new home, you’re not just taking on ownership of your home — you’re also giving information to third parties. After all, any time you purchase anything using credit, you’re producing a credit report for a third party.
Since your credit report is a valuable piece of information to companies that sell products and services to consumers, you may receive targeted mailings, calls or emails from these creditors based on the information in your credit reports.
If you purchase a home using a mortgage loan, which is a form of credit secured by property or real estate, there will also be information in your credit report that the mortgage company uses to determine your creditworthiness. This means that you could receive third party communications aimed at consumers who took out mortgages.
What happens when you get a mortgage loan through Purdue Federal Credit Union?
After you close a first mortgage with Purdue Federal Credit Union, you may start receiving offer letters for life insurance, home warranties, etc. that will appear to come from Purdue Federal Credit Union. Purdue Federal does not offer these types of products/services after your loan closes. Our mailings will always include our logo.
Please be sure to read the fine print to know exactly who you are receiving these mailings from. Mortgage information is public record, so many companies such as insurance and warranty companies have access to where your mortgage was obtained – this includes things like the amount, the lender, etc.
Purdue Federal will never sell your information to a third party for the purposes of soliciting goods or services.
What you can do
Rest assured, there are many ways to manage the amount of mail you receive related to your mortgage and other financial accounts:
- If you receive mail that contains sensitive or personal information, such as your Social Security number, current or past addresses, or account numbers, consider shredding it before throwing it away.
- If you’re not interested in a product or service, don’t hesitate to opt out. If a sender offers you the opportunity to “opt out” of future mailings, take advantage of this — especially if the offer is asking for sensitive personal information, such as your Social Security number or home address. Not only will opting out reduce the amount of mail in your mailbox, but it may also protect you from credit scams and identity theft. You can easily opt out of receiving third-party offers by calling 1.888.567.8688 or visiting www.optoutprescreen.com.
And remember:
While creditors are legally required to inform you that they’re sharing information about you, it’s still up to you to take the necessary steps to protect your privacy. By shredding unwanted mailings and opting out of programs that put your private information at risk, you can enjoy a more relaxed mortgage closing process — and a safer financial future.