SPY GAMES AND SCAMMER LANES — CFPB Moves to Rein in Data Brokers Trafficking in Your Privacy
Consumers Are Not For Sale — The CFPB’s Latest Proposal Fights Back
If you’ve ever felt like your personal data is floating in the digital universe waiting to be misused — you’re not wrong. Data brokers across the U.S. collect and sell sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers and GPS locations, often without your knowledge. But a proposed rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) may finally put a stop to this practice — and R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys are ready to help enforce your rights if it doesn’t.
At the heart of the proposal is a push to classify many data brokers as consumer reporting agencies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) — a legal shift that could change everything for consumers and corporations alike.
What’s the Big Change?
The CFPB’s rule targets data brokers who assemble and sell personal data — especially data used in making decisions about employment, housing, or credit. If finalized, these companies would need to follow strict FCRA rules. That means:
Verifying data accuracy
Getting consumer consent
Limiting use to legitimate, permissible purposes
Providing access and dispute rights
In other words: You’d get a say in what happens to your data.
Why It Matters for Californians
California already has some of the nation’s strongest consumer protection laws, but that hasn’t stopped bad actors. Under this new proposal:
Brokers wouldn’t be allowed to sell data to scammers, stalkers, or even foreign intelligence agents.
Consumers would gain legal remedies when their privacy is violated or their data is misused.
Data would need to be accurate, not just abundant.
At R23 Law, we’ve seen firsthand the damage caused when companies handle your data recklessly. This rule could be a major win — if enforced correctly.
Sensitive Info at Risk — And Why the CFPB Is Cracking Down
According to CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, the agency has found data brokers selling personal information to fraudsters and foreign spies, sometimes resulting in tragic consequences. In one example, a federal judge’s son was murdered after a broker sold the family’s address.
This proposed rule would prevent brokers from trafficking in:
Precise geolocation data
Social Security numbers
Detailed consumer profiles — without proper consent
What Happens If the Rule Passes?
The rule would:
🔹 Hold brokers legally accountable
🔹 Give consumers the right to review and dispute information
🔹 Prevent unauthorized sale of private data
🔹 Enable lawsuits under the FCRA for violations
How R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys Can Help
If your data has been misused — or you believe you’ve been targeted because of a data broker’s actions — our team is ready to help.
We represent California consumers in FCRA-related claims involving:
Data broker violations
Identity theft and fraud
Background check errors
Improper sale or disclosure of sensitive information
Learn more about our Consumer Protection Practice
Meet Our Team
We offer multilingual service and free consultations
Your Privacy Is Power — Use It
You don’t have to wait for the CFPB rule to pass to take action. If your personal data has been exposed or sold — especially without consent — you may already have legal rights under California law and the FCRA.
R23 Law is here to enforce those rights.
Contact R23 Law Today
📞 Toll-Free: 310-598-1588
💼 Schedule your free consultation
🌎 Serving clients across California — from LA to the Bay and everywhere in between.
