
Criminal background checks are a common part of many aspects of life, including job applications, apartment rentals, and even loan applications. While these checks serve to protect the public and help businesses make informed decisions, they can sometimes contain errors that affect innocent individuals. If a background check contains an error, such as someone else’s crime being linked to your record, it can create lasting consequences. These errors can prevent you from securing a job, renting an apartment, or even applying for a loan.
In this blog, we explore the potential consequences of background check errors, why they persist, and the steps you can take to resolve them. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s crucial to understand how background check errors impact your life and the actions you can take to clear your name.
What Happens When You Find an Error on Your Criminal Background Check?
A criminal background check that contains errors can have significant and far-reaching consequences for your personal and professional life. For example, if a background check mistakenly associates a crime you didn’t commit with your record, that error could haunt you indefinitely. Criminal records are not like credit issues, which are typically removed after seven years. Instead, crimes listed on a background check can remain on your record for life unless you take action to address them.
The reason for this is simple: The public has a vested interest in knowing whether an individual has a criminal history. This is why background checks are readily available for employers, landlords, and other entities, making them a powerful tool for screening individuals. However, if the background check report contains an error—such as someone else’s criminal activity being linked to you—it can have serious repercussions.
False information on your record can prevent you from obtaining a job, renting an apartment, or qualifying for a loan. It can also create unnecessary stress and frustration as you struggle to prove your innocence. That’s why it’s crucial to act quickly to dispute these errors and remove them from your background check.
How Do Background Check Errors Stay on Your Record?
Criminal background check errors are particularly damaging because they can remain on your record indefinitely if not properly addressed. Unlike other types of errors, such as mistakes on a credit report, criminal records are not automatically removed after a certain period. Even after you dispute the error, the mistaken information may stay on your record until the issue is formally corrected.
In California, as in many other states, the process of resolving a false crime on your background check typically involves disputing the error with the company that provided the report. This may be a private background check company, a government agency, or a credit reporting agency. If your dispute is unsuccessful, or if the company refuses to correct the error, the next step is often to file a lawsuit.
It’s important to note that the legal process for removing an error from your criminal record can take time. On average, it can take up to eight months from the date of filing to reach a resolution. During this period, the false information could continue to impact your life, preventing you from securing the job, housing, or other opportunities you desire.
How to Deal with False Information on Your Criminal Background Check
If you find false information on your criminal background check, the first step is to dispute it with the company that conducted the background check. Most background check companies have a process for disputing errors, and this process typically involves submitting documentation proving that the crime listed on your record was not yours.
However, disputing the error on your own can be challenging, especially if the background check company is uncooperative or if the dispute process takes longer than expected. If you’re unable to resolve the issue through the dispute process, you may need to take legal action. At Loker Law, we help clients file lawsuits against background check companies that fail to remove false information from their records.
The good news is that we work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t have to pay us unless we win your case. This arrangement ensures that our clients don’t bear the financial burden of legal fees unless we successfully clear their name.
The Legal Process: How Loker Law Can Help
Dealing with a criminal background check error can be a complex and time-consuming process. Legal action may be necessary to ensure that false information is removed from your record, especially if the background check company refuses to cooperate.
At Loker Law, we have extensive experience handling these types of cases, and we are committed to helping our clients clear their criminal records. Our firm understands the intricacies of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and how background check companies operate. We will work tirelessly to ensure that the false information is corrected and that your record is cleared.
By retaining our services, you can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to remove the error from your background check and help you move forward with your life. We understand how important it is to have a clean criminal record, and we are here to help you achieve that.
Why You Need an Attorney to Address Background Check Errors
Handling background check errors without legal assistance can be overwhelming, especially if the background check company is uncooperative or unwilling to make corrections. Filing a lawsuit on your own can also be complicated, as it requires a deep understanding of the law and the legal process. This is where an experienced attorney comes in.
At Loker Law, we specialize in helping clients resolve background check errors by filing lawsuits against background check companies. Our attorneys will guide you through the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected. We will work to hold the background check company accountable and ensure that the false information is removed from your record.
Additionally, by hiring an attorney, you don’t have to worry about upfront legal costs. As mentioned earlier, we work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay us if we win your case. This ensures that our clients can get the legal assistance they need without worrying about the financial burden.
The Importance of a Clean Record
A clean criminal record is essential for many aspects of life. Whether you’re applying for a job, renting an apartment, or applying for a loan, most landlords, employers, and lenders will conduct a background check to ensure you don’t have a criminal history. If your background check contains an error, it can significantly limit your opportunities and cause unnecessary stress.
Having false information on your record can also affect your reputation and your peace of mind. You may feel as though you’re being unfairly judged based on someone else’s actions. That’s why it’s crucial to address background check errors as soon as you discover them. By removing the false information from your record, you can clear your name and move forward with confidence.
Contact Loker Law for Help with Background Check Errors
If you’re dealing with a background check error, you don’t have to face it alone. At Loker Law, we specialize in helping clients clear up mistakes on their criminal records. Our team of experienced attorneys will fight to get the false information removed so that you can continue with your life without being held back by someone else’s crime.