Can a consumer reporting agency sell consumer reports to anyone?

A consumer reporting agency cannot sell consumer reports to just anyone due to the restrictions outlined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The FCRA specifies that consumer reports can only be sold for permissible purposes. These purposes include situations like credit underwriting, employment screening, tenant screening, or for other legitimate business needs specified in the law.

This restriction is in place to protect consumers' privacy and ensure that their personal information is only used for appropriate and legally sanctioned reasons. The FCRA establishes strict guidelines and penalties for agencies that misuse consumer report data, reinforcing the importance of consent and legitimacy in the distribution of consumer information. Therefore, the assertion that they can only sell reports for permissible purposes is accurate and highlights the protective nature of the FCRA in regulating how consumer information is shared and utilized.