Now I've heard it all.  The three CREDIT BUREAU reporting services, TransUnion, Experian and Equifax (though TransUnion wouldn't confirm it, according to Kenneth R. Harney, nationally syndicated real estate writer) are selling your information from your credit report the moment you've applied for a mortgage elsewhere.  They're compling what they call overnight "trigger" lists.  Some big loan providers are paying big bucks -- up to $30K plus a MONTH -- to be notified the next day that you've applied for a mortgage.  They use these "leads" to call you the next day, then try to convince you that you should go with them instead of the lender you've just applied with.  Read the whole article here.