Were You Aware Background Check Errors Could Cost You a Job?

The background check bureaus that can derail your career

Written by Robert J Wilkins IV

What Are Employment Screening Bureaus?

96% of employers conduct background checks

Employment screening companies are consumer reporting agencies that compile background check reports for employers. They aggregate criminal records, employment history, education verification, and sometimes credit reports into packages that employers use for hiring decisions.

• The Work Number - Employment and salary verification (2.5M+ employers)
• HireRight - Comprehensive background screening
• Accurate Background - Criminal and employment verification
• Sterling - Background checks and drug testing
• GoodHire - Small business background screening
• Checkr - Tech-focused background screening

One error on a background check can cost you a job offer you worked months to get.

Common Background Check Errors

Background check errors are surprisingly common. A 2012 study found that nearly 50% of FBI criminal records are incomplete or inaccurate. Errors include mixed files (someone else's records attached to yours), outdated information, and incorrectly coded dispositions.

• Mixed files - Criminal records of someone with a similar name
• Outdated records - Arrests reported as convictions
• Sealed/expunged records still appearing
• Wrong employment dates or job titles
• Incorrect education credentials
• Misdemeanors reported as felonies

Legal Insight: Under FCRA, employers must provide you a copy of your background check and a 'pre-adverse action' notice before rescinding a job offer based on the report.

Your Rights Under FCRA

The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you significant rights regarding employment background checks. Employers must get your written consent, provide you a copy of the report, and give you time to dispute errors before taking adverse action.

• Right to consent before a background check is run
• Right to receive a copy of the report used against you
• Right to pre-adverse action notice before offer rescission
• Right to dispute inaccurate information
• Right to an updated report after corrections
• Right to sue for FCRA violations

How Credit1Solutions Can Help

Employment background check errors require fast action - job offers don't wait forever. Our team helps you quickly identify and dispute inaccurate information so you can get back to your job search with a clean record.

• Request your file from major employment screening companies
• Identify errors in criminal records, employment history, or education
• File expedited disputes for time-sensitive job offers
• Provide guidance on your FCRA rights with employers
• Help you proactively clean up your background before job hunting

Job offers can disappear in days. We help you dispute background check errors fast.