In today's world, background checks have become a ubiquitous part of the hiring process for most companies. It is not hard to understand why – employers want to make sure that the person they are bringing on board has a clean slate and a good track record. However, what happens if you find errors in your background check? It may seem like a harmless mistake, but the truth is that it can have far-reaching consequences.
Errors in background checks can happen due to a variety of reasons. In some cases, it can be a simple adjustment error, a typo, or a misunderstanding. In other cases, the error can be much more serious, like mistaken identity, identity theft or inaccurate criminal records. The good news is that there are several things you can do to correct errors in your background check - but it requires persistence, effort, and patience.
First off, it's crucial to understand that you have the legal right to obtain a copy of your background check report for free - this is under federal law. Once you have requested for your report, you should review it carefully, especially when you find discrepancies, mistakes, or errors. These errors could be in your employment history, education, credit score, criminal history, and identity information.
When you identify errors in your background check report, you must take immediate action to notify the necessary parties and work towards correcting the mistakes. The following are some steps you can take to remedy errors in your background check report:
1. Notify the background check company
The first thing you should do is to alert the background check company of the inaccuracies in their report. Provide them with all the necessary information they need to rectify the situation. They will most likely investigate the issues you have raised and issue a new report once they have corrected the errors.
2. Contact the individual or organization that ordered the report
Apart from the background check company, you should also alert the individual or the organization that requested the report. They may offer you an opportunity to explain yourself. You can also ask them to contact the background check company to correct the errors.
3. Contact the credit bureau to correct inaccuracies
In the event that errors arise from credit history and reports, you should contact the credit bureau to correct them. This is important because credit reports affect more than just your background checks. Credit reports can impact financial transactions, loans, and credit scores. So, you need to get the inaccuracies corrected as soon as possible.
4. File a dispute with the reporting agencies
If the background check company or credit bureaus fail to respond or correct the inaccuracies, you can file a dispute with the appropriate agency. Under federal law, reporting agencies like Equifax, TransUnion and Experian have to investigate disputes within 30 days and inform you of their findings in writing.
5. Consider professional legal help if needed
If the errors in your background check report are causing you significant harm, then you may need to seek professional legal help. An attorney who specializes in employment law and background checks can review your case and provide legal counsel. They can help you pursue claims against the company or the agency responsible for the erroneous report.
Conclusion
In conclusion, errors in background checks could lead to serious consequences if not correctly handled. You must take immediate action to notify the background check company, credit bureau and the organization that ordered the report. You have the legal right to obtain a copy of your background check report and review it for accuracy. If inaccuracies persist, you can file a dispute with the appropriate agency or seek professional legal help. Remember, it's crucial to take proactive steps towards correcting errors in your background check report to avoid long-term consequences.
