There's an error on my background check

Discovered an error on your background check? Don't panic - this happens more often than you'd think, and we have a straightforward process to get it fixed. Background check databases aren't perfect, and sometimes information gets mixed up, outdated, or attributed to the wrong person. The good news? You have legal rights to dispute incorrect information, and we're required by law to investigate thoroughly.

Take Action Immediately

Time is critical. 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 only 5-7 business days to respond. Don't wait—start the dispute process right away.

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

Step 1: Contact Our Dispute Team

Your first step is to reach out to CIChecked's dispute team immediately. We handle disputes directly—no automated systems or third-party dispute centers to navigate.

Contact Information:

Phone: (518) 271-7546
Online: Visit our Dispute Page
Email: support@cichecked.com

Have This Information Ready:

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

Be Specific: Don't just say "everything is wrong." Instead, say something like: "The report shows a conviction for theft in Dallas County in 2019, but I was never convicted—the charges were dismissed" or "The employment section shows I worked at ABC Company until 2022, but I actually left in 2020."

Step 2: Gather Required Documentation

The strength of your documentation determines how quickly we can resolve your dispute. Depending on the type of error, you'll need specific supporting documents:

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)
Proof of identity if it's a case of mistaken identity

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
Contact information for references who can verify employment details

For Education Errors:

Official transcripts from educational institutions
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
Legal name change documents

General Requirements:

Valid photo ID for identity validation
Proof of current address
Any specific documentation related to the disputed information

Step 3: Submit Your Dispute Documentation

While we'll start the process over the phone, follow up with written documentation to create a paper trail:

Include in Your Written Dispute:

Clear description of what's wrong
What the correct information should be
Copies (not originals) of supporting documents
Your preferred contact method for updates
Any deadlines you're facing for employment decisions

Submission Options:

Email to disputes@cichecked.com
Fax to our dispute processing center
Secure document upload through our portal

What Happens During Our Investigation

Once we receive your dispute, 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)
We notify your employer that a dispute is in progress

Within One Week (Our Standard Timeline):

Most investigations are completed within 5-7 business days
If information was incorrect, we update our records immediately
We notify any employers who received the incorrect information in the past 30 days
You receive confirmation of the resolution

For Complex Cases:

Some disputes require additional investigation time
We'll keep you updated on progress every 2-3 business days
Federal law gives us up to 30 days for complex investigations
Rush processing available for urgent employment deadlines

How Corrections Are Communicated

Employer Notification Process:

Immediate notification: We inform your employer that a dispute is in progress
Interim status: Employers are advised not to make final hiring decisions during the dispute process
Resolution update: Once the investigation is complete, we immediately send corrected information to your employer
Follow-up confirmation: We ensure your employer received and acknowledged the corrected report

What Your Employer Receives:

Corrected background report with accurate information
Explanation of what was corrected
Verification that the correction has been investigated and validated
Updated recommendations if the error affected the overall assessment

You'll Be Notified When:

The dispute investigation begins
We need additional documentation
The investigation is complete
Your employer has been notified of corrections
Any follow-up actions are required

Common Types of Errors We Resolve

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 or job titles
Companies that have closed or been acquired
Supervisors who provided inaccurate information
Missing employment history

Education Verification Issues:

School name changes or mergers
Degree programs completed but not properly recorded
International education verification problems

Identity and Personal Information:

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

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, you still have options:

Provide additional documentation if you have it
Add a consumer statement (up to 100 words) 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

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

Tips for a Successful Dispute

Do:

Act quickly when you discover an error
Be specific about what's wrong
Provide comprehensive documentation
Follow up if you don't hear back within the expected timeframe
Keep copies of all communications

Don't:

Wait until the last minute to dispute errors
Provide vague descriptions of the problem
Submit only partial documentation
Assume the error will resolve itself
Give up if your first attempt doesn't succeed

The Bottom Line

Disputing background check errors is a standard process that we handle every day. Most disputes are resolved quickly and in the applicant's favor when proper documentation is provided. Don't let fear of the process prevent you from correcting mistakes that could affect your livelihood.

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.

Need help with your dispute? Call us at (518) 271-7546. Our dispute team is standing by to help you get errors corrected quickly and accurately.

There's an error on my background check - what do I do?