Products & Services  |  Get Started  |  Knowledge Index  |  FAQ  |  Blog  |  Search

Home > > Background Check FAQ > > Do Background Check Errors Occur?

Do Background Check Errors Occur?

Anywhere in the background check process errors such as the following can occur:

• Wrong or incomplete data in original documents
• Misreading of handwriting
• Typos such as number transposition
• Copying, filing, and search mistakes
• File corruption in computer systems

These types of errors can result in false information being reported or important facts not being reported in a background check.

If an error is found in a background check report, the applicant should promptly inform the employer.

• The Applicant needs to explain the error to the employer and provide the employer any documentation or information which may shed light on the issue.
• If the error is in the research and/or the report, the employer should re-investigate the information and report the results of the re-investigation to the applicant.
• If the error is at the information source (school, prior-employer, courthouse, etc.) the applicant will need to contact the information source directly and have the error corrected. After the information has been corrected at the source, the employer should re-investigate the information and report the results of the re-investigation to the applicant.

If an applicant reports an error in a background check report, the employer should:

• Obtain details from the applicant about the information in dispute (including any relevant documentation).
• Re-investigate the disputed item. If a third-party agency conducted the background check, provide the agency with the details about the disputed information obtained from the applicant and request a re-investigation of the disputed information (the agency should not charge for the re-investigation).
• If the re-investigation confirms the original report, the error may be at the record source (school, prior-employer, courthouse, etc.). Have the applicant contact the record source and request that the records be corrected. After the records have been corrected, the employer should again re-investigate the disputed information.
• Keep the applicant informed and provide the results of the re-investigation to the applicant

Note: Many background check errors reported by applicants are in reality errors or fraud on the part of the applicant. Always verify applicant claims by re-investigating the disputed information with the original record source.

There are several things an employer should do to reduce the risk of errors in background checks:

• Inspect the applicant's paperwork for completeness, legibility, and consistency before sending it to the background check vendor. This is the single MOST IMPORTANT thing an employer can do to reduce errors on background checks.
• Use background checks as part of a thorough hiring process which includes quality interviews, professional reference checks, employment eligibility verification, and as appropriate drug testing, skill testing, and aptitude testing.
• Conduct thorough background checks. The best background check is a comprehensive background check that gathers information from multiple sources. The employer should conduct a background check that independently verifies all information considered important to successful employment. See Comprehensive Detailed Background Checks.
  Note: Criminal database searches are notoriously incomplete and inaccurate and should only be used as a research aide. See Criminal Database Limitations.
• Select a quality background check vendor. Only consider vendors who recommend thorough background checks and are members of the NAPBS (National Association of Professional Background Screeners).
  Note: The NAPBS sponsors an outstanding background check vendor certification program. Verify that the vendor has been certified. See NAPBS® Accreditation Program.
• If employment will be denied due (in whole or in part) to a background check:
  • Notify the applicant in writing before the final decision is made
  • Provide the applicant with a written notification of rights
  • Give the applicant a copy of the background check report
  • Give the applicant the opportunity to review the report and challenge any errors
  See Notice To Users Of Consumer Reports.

Note to Employers in California: See California Background Check Law and FCRA Employer Requirements for a combined summary of the FCRA and the CA ICRA

• Applicant Background Check Resources
• How to Pass a Background Check?
• Knowledge Index: How to Do a Background Check

Ready to Go?

Use our Start-Up Kit for a step-by-step approach to getting started Account Setup is Free