Resolving Inaccuracies in Your Background Check Report
Background checks are used by employers, landlords, and financial institutions to evaluate your reliability and trustworthiness. But what happens if your background check report contains errors? Even a single mistake can unfairly cost you a job, housing opportunity, or loan approval.
How Background Check Errors Happen
Background check reports are compiled by consumer reporting agencies. Unfortunately, mistakes are common. Errors often occur due to:
- Mixed files (someone else’s records added to yours)
- Outdated criminal records that should no longer appear
- Incorrect employment or education history
- Expunged or sealed records still being reported
- Identity theft or data entry errors
These inaccuracies can seriously damage your reputation and limit your opportunities.
The Impact of Inaccurate Background Checks
A background check mistake can affect many areas of your life, including:
- Employment: Denial of a job offer or wrongful termination
- Housing: Rejection of rental applications
- Loans & Credit: Denied applications due to false information
- Professional Licensing: Delays or denials in obtaining necessary credentials
When background check errors occur, they can feel like an attack on your character and livelihood.
Your Rights Under the FCRA
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protects individuals from inaccurate reporting. Under this law, you have the right to:
- Access your report and know what information is being shared
- Dispute inaccuracies with the background check company
- Have errors corrected within 30 days
- Seek compensation if errors cause harm and aren’t corrected
Agencies that fail to correct or remove false information can be held legally accountable.
Steps to Resolve Background Check Errors
If you discover an inaccuracy in your background check report, here’s what you should do:
1. Request a copy of your report from the screening company.
2. Review it carefully for false, outdated, or misleading information.
3. File a written dispute with the agency, providing supporting evidence.
4. Keep records of all communication and responses.
5. Seek legal assistance if the error is not corrected or continues to harm you.
How Sanders Law Group Can Help
Correcting background check errors can be overwhelming without legal support. At Sanders Law Group, we:
- Investigate the source of inaccuracies
- File disputes with background check agencies
- Hold reporting companies accountable under the FCRA
- Pursue compensation for lost opportunities caused by errors
Our mission is to protect your reputation and secure your future opportunities.