Which of the following is a permissible purpose for consumer reports?

• A. Court-ordered background check
• B. Social media analysis
• C. For marketing research
• D. Child support enforcement

Answer: (D)

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a consumer report can be used only for specific purposes that are listed or clearly authorized by law. Child support enforcement fits that use, because a state child support agency is explicitly allowed to obtain consumer reports to locate a noncustodial parent and to enforce or modify child support obligations. That makes it a permissible purpose.

The other options don’t align with those authorized uses. A court-ordered background check isn’t automatically a permissible purpose under the Act unless it fits one of the enumerated categories, and simply being court-ordered doesn’t by itself authorize the report. Social media analysis and marketing research are not listed permissible purposes for consumer reports under the FCRA, so they aren’t allowed uses.