Have you ever wondered whether the information in your background check is actually accurate?
You might be surprised to learn that mistakes happen more often than many people realize. A background report may contain outdated information, records that belong to someone else, or information that should no longer appear. In February 2024, the National Institute of Justice sponsored a study showing that 60% of background checks contained a false-positive (i.e., the person was wrongly flagged for a criminal record) while up to 90% of background checks contained false-negatives (i.e., material omissions from a person's record). These errors can affect employment, housing, insurance, and other important opportunities.
The good news is that you have rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) if inaccurate information appears in a consumer report.
Here's how to start the correction process.
Before disputing anything, take time to review the report line by line.
Look for issues such as:
Even a small error can create confusion during a background check.
Not every background report comes from the same company.
If the report was prepared by a consumer reporting agency (CRA), the FCRA generally gives you the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information.
The report should identify the company that prepared it and provide contact information.
The stronger your documentation, the easier it is to explain why the information is incorrect.
Helpful documents may include:
Keep copies of everything you submit.
Most consumer reporting agencies allow disputes online, by mail, or by phone.
Your dispute should clearly identify:
Being organized and specific can help the investigation process.
Under the FCRA, consumer reporting agencies generally must investigate qualifying disputes within a specified period, often within 30 days, although certain circumstances may affect that timeframe.
During the investigation, the reporting agency typically contacts the source that provided the information to determine whether it can be verified.
If the information cannot be verified or is determined to be inaccurate, it generally must be corrected or removed.
After the investigation is complete, the reporting agency generally must provide the results.
If corrections were made, review the updated report carefully to confirm that the issue was resolved.
If you still believe the information is inaccurate, you may have additional options, including submitting additional documentation or adding a consumer statement to your file in certain circumstances.
The FCRA helps consumers correct inaccurate information—but it generally does not require accurate information to be removed simply because it is unfavorable.
If the information is accurate, your options may depend on the type of record involved.
For example:
The appropriate next step depends on your specific circumstances.
Consider these best practices:
Catching mistakes early may help prevent delays when important opportunities arise.
Billie is designed to help you view, monitor, and better understand your public-record profile so you can identify potential issues before someone else does.
With Billie, you'll be able to:
Billie is an educational platform and does not provide legal advice or determine eligibility for employment, housing, credit, or insurance.
Mistakes in background reports can happen—but they don't have to define your future.
Knowing your rights under the FCRA and taking prompt action when you identify an error can help ensure that decisions about you are based on accurate information.
Understanding your record is an important part of protecting your legal wellness.
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The content on this page provides general consumer information. It is not legal advice or regulatory guidance.