Attorney General Alan Wilson urges Congress to pass bipartisan bill to stop abusive mortgage data practices

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is calling on Congress to swiftly pass the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act of 2025 (H.R. 2808 / S. 1467), a bipartisan, bicameral bill aimed at protecting Americans from the invasive and deceptive practice of mortgage credit “trigger leads.” 

Attorney General Wilson, joined by Attorneys General Marty Jackley (SD), Jeff Jackson (NC), and Aaron Ford (NV), is leading the charge on behalf of consumers who have been overwhelmed by unsolicited calls and texts after applying for a mortgage. These communications often stem from the legal but abusive sale of consumer data allowed 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. “Trigger leads turn a life milestone into a marketing feeding frenzy, where bad actors exploit personal data to bombard consumers with misleading offers, and in some cases, outright deception.” 

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act would restrict trigger lead usage to businesses with a prior relationship with the consumer or those who have received explicit consent. This targeted reform protects privacy while preserving healthy market competition. 

For years, state attorneys general have been hamstrung by federal law, with preemption under the FCRA blocking stronger state-level protections. The result? Inconsistent state efforts and limited recourse for consumers. 

“This legislation puts an end to a loophole that has enabled abuse and confusion. It is a commonsense solution that ensures consumers maintain control over their data during one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives,” Wilson added. “It’s time for Congress to act.” 

In 2023, a similar measure passed the U.S. Senate unanimously. With growing bipartisan momentum and cross-industry support, the attorneys general are urging Congress to once again deliver this critical consumer protection reform. 

You can read the full letter here.