THE RECORD GOT IT WRONG—What to Do When a Background Check Goes Off Track
Denied a job or housing because of an inaccurate background check? You're not alone—and you're not without legal options.
At R23 Law, our California Consumer Protection Attorneys know how disruptive a single background screening error can be, and we’re here to set the record straight.
🚨 Background Check Errors: A Growing Problem with Serious Consequences
In today’s employment and housing markets, background checks are more than routine—they're often gatekeepers to opportunity. But what happens when the gate slams shut due to someone else’s mistake?
Background screening companies like Asurint, Checkr, and First Advantage compile consumer data for employers and landlords. Despite legal obligations, they don’t always get it right. And when they get it wrong, you may lose a job offer, be denied an apartment, or have your reputation unfairly tarnished.
At R23 Law, we’ve seen errors that include:
Criminal records wrongly linked to innocent people.
Outdated data that should have been purged.
Misreported employment or housing history.
Failures to provide proper notice or obtain valid authorization.
These aren’t just clerical mistakes—they’re violations of your legal rights under federal and California state law.
⚖️ Your Legal Protections Under FCRA and ICRAA
You are protected by both the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and California’s Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act (ICRAA).
Under these laws, background check agencies must:
Ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
Notify you if adverse action (like job denial) is taken based on their report.
Provide a copy of the report and a chance to dispute errors.
When they fail? You may be entitled to:
Monetary compensation for financial and emotional harm.
Statutory damages up to $10,000 per violation under ICRAA.
Legal remedies, including attorney’s fees and potential punitive damages.
Our California Background Check Violation Lawyers at R23 Law know how to pursue these claims aggressively.
đź“ť A Real-World Case Study: A False Record, A Lost Job, A Legal Fight
A recent client of R23 Law—we’ll call him “James”—was offered a competitive job in the tech sector. After weeks of interviews, his offer was rescinded due to a criminal conviction appearing on his background check. The twist? The conviction wasn’t his.
The background screening company had confused him with someone else who shared a similar name and birth year—a common but devastating error.
After James contacted R23 Law, we:
Identified the FCRA and ICRAA violations.
Filed a legal claim demanding correction and damages.
Negotiated a favorable financial settlement and ensured his record was cleared.
His story is far too common. But with legal advocacy, results are possible.
đź› What to Do If You Discover a Background Check Error
Request a copy of your background report from the screening company.
Document the error and gather proof of your identity or the correct information.
File a dispute in writing (preferably by certified mail).
Contact a lawyer if the company doesn’t fix the mistake—or if you’ve already suffered harm.
R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys are here to help you:
Fix false background information.
Pursue financial compensation.
Hold negligent companies accountable.
🎯 Why Choose R23 Law?
Our legal team has a proven track record of victories in FCRA and ICRAA cases across California. We offer:
âś… Bilingual legal services.
âś… No-cost case evaluations.
âś… Experience fighting against national background check firms.
âś… Personalized strategies tailored to your unique story.
Don’t Let Someone Else’s Mistake Define Your Future
A background check error can cost you more than just an opportunity—it can damage your livelihood and peace of mind. But with R23 Law in your corner, you don’t have to face it alone.
📞 Contact R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys today to restore your record, reclaim your opportunities, and hold bad actors accountable.
