How to Dispute Information on Your Background Report

Found something on your background report that made you do a double-take? Maybe it's completely wrong, belongs to someone else, or is missing crucial details that change the whole story. Don't panic—disputing incorrect information is a standard process that happens more often than you'd think.

Background check databases aren't perfect, and sometimes wires get crossed. The good news? You have legal rights to get errors corrected, and we're required by law to investigate your dispute thoroughly.

First Things First: Act Quickly

Time matters when it comes to disputing background information. If you've received a pre-adverse action notice from your employer (meaning they're considering not hiring you based on your background check), you typically have 5-7 business days to respond. Don't waste time hoping the problem will resolve itself.

Even if you're not facing an immediate hiring decision, addressing errors quickly prevents them from affecting future opportunities.

Step 1: Contact CIChecked Directly

Your first step should be visiting our Dispute Page, or call us at (518) 271-7546. We handle disputes directly rather than making you navigate through automated systems or third-party dispute centers. When you call, have the following ready:

Your full name and any name variations that might appear on records
Date of birth
Social Security Number (for verification)
Specific details about what information is incorrect
Any reference numbers from your background report

Don't just say "everything is wrong." Be specific: "The report shows a conviction for theft in 2019, but I was never convicted—the charges were dismissed."

Step 2: Gather Your Supporting Documentation

The stronger your documentation, the faster we can resolve your dispute. Depending on the type of error, you might need:

For Criminal Record Errors:

Court documents showing dismissal, acquittal, or expungement
Certified copies of court dispositions
Documentation of sealed or expunged records
Police reports (if they contradict the background report)

For Employment History Errors:

Pay stubs or W-2 forms showing correct employment dates
Employment verification letters from HR departments
Termination letters or severance agreements
References who can verify employment details

For Education Errors:

Official transcripts
Diplomas or certificates
Enrollment verification from schools
Documentation of name changes that might cause confusion

For Identity Mix-Ups:

Government-issued ID showing your correct information
Documentation proving you weren't at a location when an incident occurred
Social Security Administration records
Any legal name change documents

Step 3: Submit Your Dispute in Writing

While we'll start the process over the phone, follow up with written documentation. Email your dispute details and supporting documents to our compliance team. This creates a paper trail and ensures nothing gets lost in translation.

Include:

A clear description of what's wrong
What the correct information should be
Copies (not originals) of supporting documents
Your preferred contact method for updates

What Happens During Our Investigation

Once we receive your dispute, we don't just take your word for it—we also don't ignore you. Here's our process:

Within 24-48 Hours:

We flag your file to prevent the disputed information from being reported to new employers
Our investigators begin reviewing your documentation
We contact the original source of the information (courts, employers, schools)

Within 5-10 Business Days:

We complete most investigations and provide you with results
If information was incorrect, we update our records immediately
We notify any employers who received the incorrect information in the past 30 days

For Complex Cases:

Some disputes require additional investigation time
We'll keep you updated on progress
Federal law gives us up to 30 days for complex investigations

Types of Disputes We Handle

Criminal Record Issues:

Cases of mistaken identity (wrong John Smith)
Charges that were dismissed or expunged
Incorrect conviction details or dates
Sealed juvenile records appearing on adult reports

Employment Verification Problems:

Wrong employment dates
Incorrect job titles or salary information
Companies that have closed or been acquired
Supervisors who don't remember or provide inaccurate information

Education Verification Issues:

School name changes or mergers
Degree programs that were completed but not properly recorded
International education that's difficult to verify

Identity and Personal Information:

Wrong Social Security Numbers
Address history that doesn't match your actual residences
Name variations causing record mix-ups

What If the Information is Technically Correct But Misleading?

Sometimes background reports contain information that's technically accurate but lacks important context. For example, an arrest that led to a deferred prosecution agreement might show up as an arrest without showing the successful completion of the program.

In these cases, you can:

Provide documentation of the full circumstances
Request that additional context be included in the report
Add a consumer statement explaining the situation

We're required to include reasonable explanations when the circumstances warrant it.

If Your Dispute is Denied

Not all disputes result in changes to your background report. If we determine the information is accurate based on our investigation, we'll explain why. However, you still have options:

Provide additional documentation if you have it
Add a 100-word consumer statement to your file explaining your perspective
Contact the original source directly (court, employer, school) to correct their records
Seek legal counsel if you believe your rights have been violated

Preventing Future Issues

Once your dispute is resolved, consider these steps to prevent similar problems:

Regularly check your own background by ordering consumer reports
Keep important legal documents (court dispositions, etc.) in a safe place
Monitor your credit report for identity theft issues
Notify background check companies of any legal name changes

Your Legal Protections

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides serious protections during the dispute process:

We must investigate all reasonable disputes
We cannot charge you for investigating disputes
We must correct inaccurate information within 30 days
We must notify previous report recipients of corrections
You can sue for damages if we violate your rights

Red Flags That Require Immediate Attention

Criminal records for someone with a similar name but different identifying information
Convictions in states where you've never lived
Employment at companies where you've never worked
Education from schools you've never attended
Financial information that doesn't match your credit report

The Bottom Line

Disputing background check errors isn't fun, but it's not as complicated as it might seem. The key is acting quickly, being specific about what's wrong, and providing solid documentation to support your case.

Remember: legitimate errors get corrected. We're not trying to hide accurate information, but we're also not going to let incorrect information damage your employment prospects.

Most disputes are resolved quickly and in the applicant's favor when they provide proper documentation. Don't let fear of the process prevent you from correcting mistakes that could affect your livelihood.