Background checks have become standard practice for many modern employers. They went to verify that a candidate does not have any major criminal convictions or other blemishes on their record before extending an employment offer.
Background checks help businesses streamline the hiring process and can protect the public from dangerous and untrustworthy individuals who might manipulate their way into positions of trust. Unfortunately, background checks do not necessarily always provide accurate information for employers and other parties. Sometimes, background checks return inaccurate information and may unfairly deprive people of opportunities.
What background check errors are the most common?
Many background check mistakes begin with minor errors. Someone inputting information may have transposed two digits in a birth date or a Social Security number, for example. That seemingly minor mistake can result in inaccurate information ending up in one party’s background check instead of on the appropriate person’s background check. In some cases, similarities in names or sharing the same birthday may exacerbate this type of error by making it more difficult to determine the party to whom the record actually applies.
Background checks might potentially include information related to identity theft. The person who was a victim of a crime ends up facing the consequences of the perpetrator’s actions. Other times, the background check could turn up accurate information that it should not include, such as records removed by expungement or details too old for legal inclusion in public records. In some cases, there may be inaccurate criminal records that show up during a background check. Any inaccuracies in the background check could potentially cause major issues for an individual.
What causes these errors?
As mentioned above, many issues with background checks begin with human error. Confusion about the identity of an individual or inaccurate data entry can result in major mistakes. Other times, failure to properly update records could result in an inaccurate background check. A private background check company might pull information from public records and could retain expunged information, for example. Inaccurate background checks could also be the result of errors with databases or the digital transcription of records. Identity theft can also be the reason that inaccurate information shows up on one person’s report.
People affected by inaccurate background checks have certain rights. They can request the correction of the records that are not accurate. In some cases, they may have grounds to take legal action against private companies supplying inaccurate information as part of a paid background check service. Reviewing the details of a background check issue with a skilled legal team can help an affected party determine if they may have any legal recourse available to them. Correcting inaccurate records and holding companies accountable can both be beneficial for those negatively impacted by errors in background check reports.