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Background Checker Violates FCRA

On Behalf of | Aug 20, 2012 | Consumer Protection

Are you looking for a job and getting nowhere?  Is something holding you back from employment and you don’t know what it is?

Companies that perform background checks for employers are making mistakes and providing reports riddled with errors.  The Federal Trade Commission is starting to take notice and clamp down on the rule breakers.  This week  the FTC announced that an employment background screen provider, HireRIght Solutions Inc. will pay $2.6 million for failing to use reasonable procedures to assure accurate reporting.   According to the FTC, HireRight failed to use reasonable procedures to prevent inaccurate information from being provided to employers.  Additionally, they failed to give consumers copies of their reports and failed to re-investigate consumer disputes.   Instead of fighting the allegations, HireRight Solutions is paying millions to settle the FTC’s allegations.  See article

A recent report released by the National Consumer Law Center on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 reveals that criminal background checks conducted on prospective employees routinely contain errors, mismatch people or misclassify criminal offenses.

If you are applying for a job and get denied after a background check, you are entitled to a copy of the report.  You should review the report carefully and dispute the errors.  To dispute the errors, see our website for specific instructions and a sample letter.   Be sure to dispute in writing and send the dispute letter by certified mail with receipt.  It is important to keep a paper trail.

SmithMarco, P.C., has over 30 years of combined experience practicing law protecting the rights of consumers around the country and handles Fair Credit Reporting Act cases. If information about you is inaccurately being reported, or if you feel that you’re rights have been violated, please contact us for a free case review.

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