Amazon Flex background checks are a critical step in the hiring process, but errors and delays put up unexpected roadblocks. Fight them, fix them, and hit the road with confidence!
An Amazon Flex background check can be a source of unfair, unnecessary hassles, hurdles, and hiccups for otherwise qualified applicants.
Whether you’re concerned about the results of your background check, experiencing delays, or dealing with errors, you’re not alone. And you do have powerful legal rights!
Learn about Amazon Flex background checks- from common problems to practical solutions, and know when consulting a background check attorney is the best option.
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What Does an Amazon Flex Background Check Look For?
Amazon Flex background checks often include:
- Driving history: Past accidents, moving violations, and license verification.
- Criminal history: Reviews of misdemeanors, felonies, and theft or fraud-related charges.
- Identity verification: Confirms Social Security information and records matches.
- Sex offender registry check: Searches for any registered offenses.
Amazon Flex evaluates these findings to determine eligibility. In most states, Amazon examines driving and criminal records over the past seven years, although this timeframe may differ depending on local laws or job requirements.
Running into some road bumps and potholes along the road of life from time to time is a universal experience. Which means there are plenty of people who have a past that might not be as clear, smooth, and unhindered as they might like.
What you need to know is that even if you happen to fall into this category, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t secure a great job as a delivery driver.
But it does mean that it is wise to be prepared for the screening process by understanding the concerns and what to do if things take an unexpected turn.
Steps to Prepare for the Amazon Flex Background Check:
- Understand the process: Review the Amazon Flex background check guidelines
- Know your rights: Research your state’s look-back periods to confirm what should or shouldn’t appear in your results
- Take proactive steps: Conduct your own background check in advance. If concerned, consider discussing potential issues with your Amazon Flex contact. Legal advice may also be helpful for understanding expungement laws in your state.
- Dispute inaccuracies: If you’re denied due to outdated, inaccurate, wrongful, or otherwise unreportable information (like sealed or expunged records), you have the legal right to dispute that information and have it removed.
Amazon Flex background checks generally focus on driving records, criminal history, and reliability. Double-check this information in your application materials.
Who Does Amazon Flex Background Checks?
Amazon Flex partners with third-party companies like Accurate Background to perform background checks. This is important to know because it means that Amazon Flex background checks are not actually performed by Amazon.
While Amazon has the right to make its own hiring decisions based on the background check report it receives, it is not responsible for handling disputes regarding errors in the report.
If you need to dispute errors in your Amazon Flex background check, you will file your dispute directly with the background check company that performed it.
You have a right to receive a copy of any background check report that is run on you. You usually have the option to automatically receive a copy once it’s complete. If you weren’t given this option, you can request a copy directly from the background check company.
Failed Amazon Flex Background Check – But It Was Correct
Amazon Flex can, and does, reject applicants based on accurate findings, such as a driving record or criminal conviction that did take place and that were reported accurately.
While this is discouraging, it is typically allowable under the law as long as it is consistently enforced.
Steps to a Solution:
- Request specifics: Ask for details on the decision. Amazon is legally obligated to notify you of adverse actions and share a copy of your report.
- Provide insight: You can offer an explanation or reassurance, but with the understanding that it may not impact the hiring decision.
- Seek a second chance: Ask what their requirements are for the issue you have. For instance, if you failed your Amazon Flex background check due to a driving violation from four years ago, find out what the window is for when they no longer consider this type of violation to be a deal breaker. Wait for the window to pass or address any issues that you can, and consider reapplying if you meet the requirements later.
Failed Amazon Flex Background Check – But it Was Not Correct!
Background check errors and mistakes, including in Amazon Flex background check reports, happen more frequently than you might expect.
Common Amazon Flex background check errors include:
- Incorrect criminal records: Charges that aren’t yours, duplicate entries for the same event, not clearly indicating that no charges were filed or charges were dropped, reporting a felony charge even though you took a plea to a misdemeanor
- Driving record errors: Inaccurate violations or accidents listed
- Identity confusion: Someone else’s information mistakenly included as if it is yours
- Outdated or unreportable information: Records that shouldn’t legally be included under state or federal guidelines- this includes sealed or expunged records
Solution:
- Get your report: Contact Accurate Background (or the background check company that ran the report, if different) to request a copy.
- Identify inaccuracies: Carefully review your report for mistakes, inaccuracies, unreportable info, etc.
- File a dispute: Send a detailed explanation of the background check errors (via certified mail), along with supporting documentation, to: Accurate Background, Dispute Department, 200 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 1100, Irvine, CA 92618 *Be sure to verify the address online before mailing*
- Keep records: Document everything. Write down notes about every communication, keep copies of your dispute and supporting materials, and your mail receipt.
- Follow up: Background check companies must respond within 30 days under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). If they don’t respond or don’t fix the error, they are violating the law. Not responding or not fixing their mistakes is NOT a valid option.
- Work with a consumer protection lawyer: If the background check company fails to correct the errors or delays the process, reach out to a consumer protection attorney, aka background check lawyer, at Consumer Justice Law Firm. Learn more about the ways that we help fight background check errors to get you fixes, justice, and money.
Background check companies often conduct careless, inaccurate, or incomplete investigations into disputed data, leaving individuals stranded and unsure how to recover.
If Accurate Background claims their investigation confirms that the disputed information is correct, it’s time to call a background check lawyer.
You can also just start by contacting a background check lawyer. When you’ve been denied a job due to background check errors, a lawyer can help prepare the dispute for you to ensure that you’ve adequately supported your position.
Why is My Amazon Flex Background Check Delayed or Taking Too Long?
The Amazon Flex background check time is generally 2–14 days. Of course, just like every other aspect of this process, having a time frame doesn’t mean that it is always met. In fact, delays can be a real problem, and are typically caused by:
- High demand during busy hiring periods
- Common names requiring additional identity verification (note- if you do have a common name, you should absolutely be very careful in review the data in your background check reports and credit reports)
- Difficulties accessing records across different jurisdictions
Solution:
- Monitor progress: Use the Accurate Background portal to check for updates.
- Contact support: Reach out to Amazon Flex if your background check exceeds two weeks.
- Respond quickly: Provide any requested documents as soon as you can in order to avoid further delays.
Amazon Flex Account Suspended, Deactivated, or Flagged for Review
If your account has been suspended, deactivated or flagged, the background check process may have revealed issues in your past that require some clarification.
Solution:
- Check for updates: Log into the background check portal to review documentation requests.
- Submit promptly: Provide any required documents via certified mail or direct upload.
- Communicate with support: Notify Amazon Flex of your progress and address any concerns.
- File an appeal: For suspensions due to periodic rechecks, submit an appeal if you believe the decision was unfair.
There are times when Amazon Flex background checks are run on current Amazon Flex drivers. During these re-checks, accounts may be suspended.
If you believe your Amazon Flex account has been unfairly suspended, deactivated or flagged, you can file an appeal with Amazon support.
Sometimes Amazon support doesn’t provide the assistance you need and when that happens – you need a good lawyer!
GET JUSTICE! Fight for fixes & money!
Having to submit to any background check is stressful. But being unfairly rejected for due to errors or inaccuracies in your Amazon Flex background check goes beyong frustrating.
Failing a background check due to errors and missing a job opportunity that you should otherwise have can cause serious harm to your finances, reputation, and mental health.
The solution for dealing with any kind of lost opportunities and other harm is to get a free consulation with a highly experienced background check lawyer today. Knowing your rights and what type of compensation you’re entitled to can help you make a plan.
If you’re dealing with inaccurate or unfair background check reports, contact Consumer Justice Law Firm. We’ll guide you through disputes, defend your rights, and help you move forward.
FREE Consultations! You pay $0 upfront or out of pocket. We only get paid when we win! No Justice, No Fee.TM