HireRight background check errors can have devastating consequences. A simple mix-up or outdated record can make it seem like you’re hiding a criminal history, lying about employment dates, or misrepresenting your qualifications. In a competitive job market, that’s more than a red flag - it’s a dealbreaker.
And when you’re denied housing, the stakes are even higher. You can’t just wait around for the issue to be resolved. You need a roof over your head and safety for your family.
Keep reading to find out what to do if you’re refused employment or housing due to errors on your background check report, how to fix background check errors, who you can contact for errors on your background check, and why hiring a lawyer may be the best step forward.
What Is a HireRight Background Check Error?
HireRight background checks are run by one of the most widely used consumer reporting agencies in the country. Employers, property managers, and even government agencies rely on HireRight to screen applicants and ensure the "right" people are being offered opportunities.
A HireRight background check error occurs when inaccurate, outdated, false, or otherwise unreportable information appears on a report used to evaluate someone for employment, housing, or other opportunities.
While errors are common, employee background check errors are among the most frequent, as are tenant screening errors. Since safety is a primary concern when running any report, criminal background check errors are typically what prevent people from getting the opportunity.
What Do HireRight Background Screenings Look For?
HireRight background checks typically look for information such as criminal history, employment verification, education history, credit reports (if relevant to the job), and professional licenses. They may also check for drug testing results and confirm driving records, depending on the nature of the job. The goal is to ensure the candidate is trustworthy and qualified for the role.
The Problem with Background Check Errors
Landlords and employers rely heavily on these reports to make critical decisions, but they are not legally required to verify the accuracy of the information they receive. As long as they act in good faith based on what’s provided, they’re in the clear, even if that information is false or outdated.
It seems unfair - you lose a housing or job opportunity because of errors in your background check results, but the company that rejected you isn’t held responsible. Unfortunately, that’s exactly how the system works.
That leaves everyday people stuck facing the burden of identifying the mistake, gathering proof, and navigating the process of how to dispute background check information with HireRight.
But here’s the part they don’t tell you - it can take weeks, sometimes months, to fix a single error. And when you’re actively searching for housing or employment, time isn’t on your side.
In most cases, applicants don’t even know there’s an error until after they’ve been rejected. Background check companies like HireRight are supposed to notify individuals of adverse actions, but that doesn’t always happen in time or at all.
Do This to Fix HireRight Background Check Errors!
Wondering, “How do I get rid of background check errors?” You’re not alone. Tens of thousands of people are derailed by these every year. But if you’ve suffered financial, emotional, or reputational harm as a result of HireRIght background check errors, you don’t have to accept it. You have a right to dispute background check information when it’s wrong, file a lawsuit if necessary, and seek compensation if eligible.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), HireRight is legally required to investigate disputes and correct mistakes within 30 days. However, the dispute process can be complex and time-sensitive, and the investigations can be completely inadequate. In fact, HireRight and other companies frequently just end up “confirming” that the disputed data is correct, despite your evidence to the contrary.
Here’s how to take action:
Step 1: Request a Copy of Your Background Check: You have the right to access your HireRight report and review it for inaccuracies. This is the first step in identifying what went wrong.
Step 2: Ask Why You Were Rejected or Denied: You have the right to know which specific information HireRight used to make its decision.
Step 3: Gather Evidence: If you were denied due to false, misleading, or inaccurate information, or information that was accurate but should not have been reported (like sealed records), collect supporting documents such as court records, employment verification letters, or identity documents.
Step 4: Submit a Dispute: Submit a dispute directly to HireRight and keep records of all communications. We highly recommend disputing all errors through certified mail. Doing so helps preserve rights that will be useful later in the litigation and dispute processes.
Step 5: Consult a Background Check Attorney: When you’ve suffered harm due to these errors and you need to fix them as quickly and effectively as possible, working with a consumer protection attorney is the best bet.
Do I Have to Agree to a HireRight Background Check?
Yes, in most cases, you do have to agree to a HireRight background check in order to pursue the opportunity in question. However, companies must get your consent before conducting a background check as part of the hiring process. If you’re applying for a job that involves a background screening, your employer or potential employer will ask for your authorization, usually in writing, before proceeding. Without your consent, they cannot run the check. So, you can pass on the background check, but that may mean passing on the opportunity.
Rachel’s Story – A Clear Example of a Background Check Error
Rachel worked hard to rebuild her life post-pandemic. After attending school and pushing through years of long nights, tight deadlines, and sacrifices, she finally landed a role she loved at a reputable law firm. It wasn’t just a job - it was proof of how far she had come.
But in the apartment community where she lived alone with her young, special needs son, new management meant a rapid decline in quality and safety.
What was once a peaceful, well-kept community quickly spiraled into chaos that included loud music 24/7, suspicious transactions just feet from her front door, a community pool that became unkempt and unuseable, unleashed pit bulls roaming the property, and a clearly intoxicated, angry neighbor who became a chronic problem as he frequently pounded on her door and screamed at her.
Rachel knew she had to move. She found a quiet community in a neighboring city - clean, family-friendly, and close enough to her job to keep her routine intact. The rent was comparable, the reviews were glowing, and she was excited to start fresh in a place that finally felt right. So, she applied.
Her income was solid, her rental history spotless, and her employer was thrilled to provide a reference. All she needed was the background check to go through.
She was denied. Confused and blindsided, Rachel requested a copy of her background check report from HireRight and what she found was shocking.
The report included incorrect information, a criminal offense that didn’t belong to her, and a claim that she had been evicted from a property she’d never lived in. None of it was true. But to the property manager reviewing her application, it didn’t matter. The decision was final. They had already moved on.
Rachel was left without a new place to live and no clear path forward…until she found her way to us.
Get Justice: Legal Help for Background Check Errors
So, who can you contact for errors on your background check? Great question! You can put a halt to HireRight errors by contacting Consumer Justice Law Firm today.
A background check error can cost you more than just a job - it can affect your long-term career opportunities and financial stability. If mistakes on your HireRight report have led to a job denial, do not wait to take action. Contact our firm today. The sooner you dispute errors in a background check, the better your chances of correcting the record before another opportunity is lost.
Don’t let incorrect information on your background check hold you back. Learn how to correct errors on your background check report today.
You can fight back - and you don’t have to do it alone!
Learn more about background check mistakes, how we help correct them, why a background check lawsuit might be needed, and what kind of compensation you might be eligible for by checking out our background check errors practice page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do HireRight background checks look for?
HireRight background checks typically review criminal records, employment history, education, and sometimes credit information to verify an individual’s background. While these checks are meant to provide accurate data under the FCRA, mistakes can occur. At Consumer Justice Law Firm, we’ve seen how even a minor error in a HireRight report can lead to wrongful job or housing denials. These inaccuracies are not only frustrating but may also violate your rights under federal law. It’s essential to review your report carefully, as these screenings aren’t always accurate. If you find discrepancies, act promptly to protect your opportunities and hold screening companies accountable. Take action immediately.
Who should I call if I find HireRight background check mistakes?
If you discover errors in your HireRight background check, it’s critical to act quickly. Begin by contacting HireRight’s customer support to dispute the inaccuracies and request an updated, corrected report. We highly recommend doing this via certified mail to preserve your rights. Keep a record of all communications and gather any supporting evidence. Since these errors can affect your job and housing opportunities, you should also consider reaching out to Consumer Justice Law Firm. Our experienced attorneys handle many cases where background screening mistakes violate FCRA rights, and we can help guide you through the dispute process. Protecting your future starts with addressing these mistakes immediately.
HireRight messed up, should I call a lawyer?
Should HireRight mess up your background report, consulting a lawyer may be essential. Mistakes on these reports can cause severe consequences under the FCRA, jeopardizing your job or housing opportunities. At Consumer Justice Law Firm, we see how errors in background screening can cost individuals dearly.
We advise you to collect all related documentation and seek legal advice immediately. An attorney experienced in consumer rights and background check disputes can assess your case, navigate the dispute process, and pursue compensation if losses occur. Don’t hesitate - protect your future by consulting an attorney as soon as possible.