Here is how to dispute a background check: send the background screening company a written dispute that names each wrong item, explains why it is wrong and includes proof, and ask it to send a corrected report to the employer. Federal law requires the company to reinvestigate for free, usually within 30 days, and delete or fix anything it cannot verify.
Errors are more common than people think. In my screening work the usual ones were a stranger's record matched by name, a dismissed case shown as open, the same case listed twice, and employment dates that were a few months off. Each one has a fix.
Quick answers
Who to contact
The screening company named in your notice, not just the employer.Cost
Free for you under federal law.Deadline for them
Usually 30 days, up to 15 more if you send new information during that time.What to send
A letter listing each error, plus court papers, diplomas, pay stubs or ID proof.Result
The item is corrected, deleted or confirmed. You get the result in writing.If it stays wrong
Add a short statement of dispute and complain to the CFPB or FTC.
Common background check errors
| Error | What it looks like | Proof that helps |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong person | A case under a similar name or different birth date | ID, address history, the case file showing a different person |
| Outdated status | A dismissed or closed case listed as open | Certified court disposition |
| Sealed or expunged case | A cleared case still listed | The court's order |
| Duplicate entries | One case reported as two or three | The court docket showing one case number |
| Too old to report | A non conviction item older than 7 years | Dates from the report itself |
| Wrong employment dates or title | Months off, or a different job title | Pay stubs, tax forms, offer letter |
| Degree not verified | School not found or name changed | Diploma, transcript, registrar letter |
The rules on old items and time limits are explained on the page on how far back reports reach. Errors in jobs and schools often come from verification gaps; see employment history checks.
How to dispute a background check step by step
- Find the company. The pre adverse action or adverse action notice names the screening company and how to reach it. If you never got one, ask HR which company ran the report.
- Get your file. You are entitled to a copy. After an adverse decision, you can get a free copy if you ask within 60 days.
- Fix the source if needed. If the court record itself is wrong, ask the court clerk to correct it too, or the error may come back.
- Send your dispute in writing. Online forms work, but a letter with copies gives you a clear paper trail.
- Ask for the corrected report to go out. The company must, at your request, notify anyone who got the report for job purposes in the past two years.
- Save everything. Keep your letter, proof of sending, and the written result.
Never mail original court papers. Send copies, and keep a certified copy for yourself.
Background check dispute letter
[Your full name], [Mailing address], [Phone], [Date]
[Screening company name], Attn: Consumer Disputes, [Company address]
Re: Dispute of report dated [date], ordered by [employer name], report number [if shown]
I am writing to dispute the following information in my background report:
1. [Describe the item, for example: Case number 12345 in [County]]. This is inaccurate because [it belongs to another person with a different date of birth, OR it was dismissed on [date]]. Enclosed is [document].
2. [Next item, if any].
Please reinvestigate, delete or correct these items, and send me the results in writing. Please also send a corrected report to [employer name].
Sincerely, [Your name]
Enclosures: [list documents]
List each item separately and attach proof for each.
Send a vague note such as "everything is wrong" or include your full Social Security number in an email.
What happens after you dispute
| Stage | Usual timing | What the law says |
|---|---|---|
| Company gets your dispute | Day 0 | Reinvestigation starts, at no cost to you |
| Company tells the source | Within 5 business days | The court, school or employer that supplied it is notified |
| Reinvestigation ends | Usually by day 30 | Can extend up to 15 days if you send new information during the 30 days |
| Result sent to you | Soon after | Includes any corrected report when items change |
These deadlines come from section 1681i; read it in the FTC's copy of the law. The FTC's consumer page on background checks also tells applicants to include supporting documents and ask for the corrected report to be sent to the employer.
If the company says the information is correct
- Add a statement of dispute. You may file a brief statement explaining your side. The company may limit it to 100 words, and must include it, or a summary, in later reports.
- Go to the source. Ask the court, school or past employer to fix its own record, then dispute again with the new proof.
- File a complaint. The CFPB complaint page accepts complaints about consumer reports. It asks you to dispute with the company first.
- Talk to a lawyer. The FCRA lets people sue for willful or negligent violations. Some lawyers who handle these cases offer a free first consultation.
What does dispute mean on a background check?
If you see "disputed" or "in dispute" next to an item, it means the consumer, usually you, has challenged it and the screening company noted that. It is not a negative mark. Employers reading it know the item is being, or has been, questioned. If you see a status like this in the employer's portal, the background check result meanings page covers the other labels.
Consider this a summary of the federal process. For advice on your own report, a consumer rights attorney or a legal aid clinic can go over it with you. If an offer was pulled, also read the failed check guide.
Questions people ask
What happens if I dispute a background check?
The screening company must reinvestigate, usually within 30 days, and tell you the result in writing. Items it cannot verify must be deleted or corrected.
Does disputing a background check cost anything?
No. Federal law requires the company to reinvestigate at no cost to you. A copy of your file after an adverse decision is also free if you ask within 60 days.
Can I sue for an incorrect background check?
The FCRA allows lawsuits for willful or negligent violations, such as failing to follow reasonable procedures or ignoring a valid dispute. An attorney who handles consumer cases can judge whether yours qualifies.
Will the employer wait while I dispute?
There is no federal rule that forces them to wait, but many will if you can show the dispute is underway. Ask politely and in writing.
How do I fix wrong employment dates on a background check?
Send proof such as an old W 2, the offer letter or pay stubs showing the right dates, both to the screening company and, if possible, ask the old employer to correct its records.
Who do I dispute with, the employer or the company?
Dispute the report with the screening company that prepared it. Also tell the employer you have done so and share your proof.