Quick answer
A sudden wave of calls after you submit a form can be a warning sign, but it does not prove your information was sold. Check who runs the site, what its consent language says, and which companies may receive your information before sharing details.
In February 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said it sent warning letters to 13 data brokers about their obligations under a law restricting certain transfers of sensitive U.S. personal data to foreign adversaries. The FTC specifically highlighted information about Armed Forces membership. The letters were compliance warnings, not a finding that every recipient broke the law or that all data brokerage is prohibited.
If you are looking into a home loan, take a moment before submitting a form. A few checks can help you understand who is asking for your information and what may happen to it.
5 red flags to look for
1. You submit one form and unfamiliar companies start calling
A phone call soon after you fill out a form can mean your details were shared with a lender, a marketing company, or another lead buyer. But timing alone does not tell you exactly what happened. You may have agreed to calls in the form’s consent language, or your information may have come from another source.
Before submitting, look for a clear explanation of who may contact you and whether your details may be shared or sold. Read the consent text near the submit button, not just the page headline. If it names companies, check whether you recognize them. If the disclosure is unclear, do not submit your phone number.
2. The site promotes a benefit but does not clearly identify who operates it
A page may use military imagery or talk about VA benefits without making the company behind it easy to find. Search for the organization’s name, contact details, privacy notice, and the specific companies involved.
Be alert to calls or mailers that imply a company represents the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), your loan servicer, or the government. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) warns that some solicitations falsely suggest those affiliations. If a caller claims to represent your servicer, hang up and call the number on your mortgage statement.
3. A basic information request asks for highly sensitive documents
A first inquiry about a program is different from a formal loan application. Be cautious if an unfamiliar website asks for your full Social Security number, account passwords, or a copy of your DD214 before it identifies the organization and explains why those details are needed.
Do not send sensitive documents through an unverified link or an ordinary email. If you decide to apply, contact the organization using a phone number or website you independently verified. Ask how to submit documents securely and whether the information is required at this stage.
4. The message creates urgency or makes a vague promise
Be careful with messages claiming that you have money waiting, that you must act immediately, or that a company can guarantee a refinance or loan approval. Do not assume a caller is affiliated with the VA because the caller ID, logo, or mailer suggests it.
Pause, verify the company independently, and compare the offer with information from your current loan servicer or another trusted source. Never send mortgage payments to a new party based only on an unexpected call. The CFPB advises consumers not to give personal information to a lender or servicer that contacts them out of the blue.
5. Nobody gives you a straight answer about where your information goes
Before sharing personal details, ask: “Who will receive my information, and can I opt out of future calls or messages?” Also ask how to request deletion or correct information, if applicable.
A privacy notice should help you understand what information is collected and how it may be used. If the company cannot explain its practices in plain language, or pressures you to continue without answering, you can leave the form and choose another way to get information.
What the FTC’s 2026 warning letters do – and do not – mean
The FTC’s February 2026 announcement concerned the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024. The law restricts data brokers from making certain sensitive personal information about U.S. individuals available to China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or entities controlled by those countries. The FTC’s warning-letter template notes that information revealing Armed Forces membership is covered.
The announcement does not establish that every data broker sold military information illegally. It is not a general ban on all U.S. data brokerage, marketing calls, or mortgage leads. It is a reminder that certain transfers of sensitive information to foreign adversaries are restricted by law.
Separately, the FTC has taken action involving lead-generation websites and telemarketing. Those actions are useful context, but they are not the same as the 2026 warning letters.
Steps you can take now
- Review the form and save the details. Keep a screenshot or copy of the consent language and privacy notice before you submit.
- Use OptOutPrescreen for prescreened credit and insurance offers. You can request a five-year opt-out or start a permanent opt-out at OptOutPrescreen.com or by calling 1-888-567-8688. This applies to prescreened offers based on credit-bureau lists. It does not stop every marketing call or remove your information from every data broker.
- Register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry. Visit DoNotCall.gov. Registration can reduce covered telemarketing calls, but exceptions apply, and it will not block every unwanted call.
- Tell the caller to stop and keep a record. Note the date, company name, phone number, and what the caller said. Do not confirm sensitive information just to find out who is calling.
- Report suspected fraud. You can report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and contact your state attorney general. If the caller claims to be your loan servicer, use the number on your mortgage statement to verify.
A note about Operation T.A.G. and the Hometown Hero Credit
There's a difference between SERVING military families…and just MARKETING to them.
Operation T.A.G. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit project of the High Desert Community Foundation. Its flagship program, the Hometown Hero Credit, is a nonprofit program and a partnership between Operation T.A.G. and PRMG. Operation T.A.G. administers the credit; PRMG originates and underwrites the loan. Operation T.A.G. is not affiliated with or endorsed by the VA.
For eligible military families, the Hometown Hero Credit is a 2% credit up to $21,000 to help buy or refinance a home. The credit is calculated on the loan amount, not the sales price. Depending on program rules and the borrower’s situation, it may be applied to closing fees, an interest-rate buydown, real estate agent fees, or, in some cases, debt payoff to help with VA loan qualification. It cannot be used for a down payment or non-loan purposes. VA loans generally do not require a down payment. Any assistance figures are illustrative and subject to change based on individual borrower circumstances.
For details, review the program information directly at OperationTAG.org or HometownHeroCredit.com. Real estate professionals can also learn about the Real Estate Ambassador Program. As with any service, ask who you are communicating with, how your information will be used, and what the professional’s role is.
Frequently asked questions
Does getting calls after a mortgage form mean my information was sold?
Not necessarily. It may have been shared under the form’s consent terms, obtained from another source, or sold. The calls alone do not confirm the source. Review the consent language and ask each caller which company they represent and how they got your information.
Does OptOutPrescreen stop every credit-related call?
No. It lets you opt out of prescreened credit and insurance offers based on lists from the major credit bureaus. It does not opt you out of every marketing list, data broker, or telephone solicitation.
Should I give my Social Security number to someone who calls about a VA loan?
Do not provide sensitive information to an unexpected caller. Verify the company independently first. If you choose to apply, use a secure channel and ask why the information is needed.
Sources
- FTC: Data brokers and the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act (February 2026)
- FTC: Warning-letter template addressing Armed Forces membership information
- FTC: What to know about prescreened offers for credit and insurance
- FTC: National Do Not Call Registry privacy information
- FTC: Lead generator settlement involving telemarketing calls
- CFPB: Tips for avoiding VA home loan scams
Brett Stacy, Founder & National Director, Operation T.A.G.™, National Brand Ambassador, Hometown Hero Credit™, Military Family Advocate | Author | Speaker
OperationTAG.org | HometownHeroCredit.com
Phone: 760-456-8748 (24-hour Information Line)
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