Which of the following is NOT a permissible purpose to obtain a consumer report?

• A. To evaluate an application for credit
• B. To verify employment history with consent
• C. Marketing purposes without consent
• D. Employment decisions with consent

Answer: (C)

In the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a consumer report may be obtained only for specific permissible purposes. These include evaluating an application for credit and using the report for employment-related decisions when the consumer has provided written consent. Marketing the consumer’s information without that written authorization is not allowed, so marketing without consent is not a permissible purpose. If the consumer provides explicit written consent for marketing, that use can be permissible. The other options describe legitimate, consent-based purposes.