As in the case of loshon hora, the one instance where rechilus may be believed as fact is where the report confirms a suspicion already supported by evidence which would be insufficient on its own. If, for example, someone’s strange behavior is a clear indication of his having done something wrong, and a person then claims to have witnessed the act, one may believe the person’s account. This does not, however, permit sharing the information with others, unless there is a halachically acceptable constructive purpose in doing so.
In summation, rechilus may be spoken and listened to for a constructive purpose, but it may be believed only when supported by circumstantial evidence.
