South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has called on Congress to expedite the passage of the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act of 2025 (H.R. 2808 / S. 1467). This bipartisan bill aims to safeguard consumers from the invasive practice of mortgage credit “trigger leads.”
Attorney General Wilson, along with Attorneys General Marty Jackley from South Dakota, Jeff Jackson from North Carolina, and Aaron Ford from Nevada, is advocating for consumers who face unsolicited calls and texts after applying for a mortgage. These communications are often a result of the legal sale of consumer data under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
“When someone applies for a mortgage, their private information should not become a public free-for-all,” said Attorney General Wilson. He described trigger leads as turning “a life milestone into a marketing feeding frenzy,” where personal data is exploited by bad actors.
The proposed legislation would limit trigger lead usage to businesses that have an existing relationship with the consumer or those who have received explicit consent. The reform seeks to protect privacy while maintaining market competition.
State attorneys general have struggled with federal law preemption under FCRA, which has blocked stronger state-level protections. This has led to inconsistent efforts across states and limited recourse for consumers.
“This legislation puts an end to a loophole that has enabled abuse and confusion,” added Wilson. “It is a commonsense solution that ensures consumers maintain control over their data during one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.” He urged Congress to take action.
A similar measure passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate in 2023. With growing bipartisan support and backing from various industries, attorneys general are pressing Congress to enact this important consumer protection reform.
