Legal Definitions - reason to know

Definition: Reason to know refers to information that would lead a person of average or superior intelligence to believe that a particular fact exists or has a high probability of existing. This information is such that if the person exercises reasonable care, they can assume the fact exists.

• If a person sees a wet floor sign in front of a store, they have a reason to know that the floor may be slippery and they should be careful while walking.
• If a person hears a weather forecast predicting heavy rain, they have a reason to know that there may be flooding in low-lying areas.
• If a person receives an email from their bank asking them to update their account information, they have a reason to know that their account may be at risk of fraud and they should take appropriate measures to protect it.

These examples illustrate how reason to know is based on information that is available to a person and that they can use to make informed decisions. In each case, the person has access to information that suggests a particular fact or situation exists, and they can take steps to protect themselves or avoid potential harm.