Some Surprises Are Fun. But Not When They’re Sterling Background Check Errors.
You aced the interviews, dazzled the hiring manager, and are already envisioning your new office plant. Then, out of nowhere, a Sterling background check error throws a wrench in your plans.
Unfortunately, this scenario isn’t rare. Sterling, a prominent background check company, has been known to produce reports with inaccuracies that jeopardize employment opportunities for people nationwide.
Sterling background check errors can slip through the cracks and change everything. One small misreporting on your employment background check might mean a lost job, delayed start date, or even a rescinded offer. That’s why knowing how to dispute these errors and why they matter isn’t just helpful, it’s critical.
Quick Links
What is a Sterling Background Check?
You might be wondering who Sterling even is, or why you should care which company runs your background check.
Sterling isn’t just another faceless name in the hiring pipeline. It’s one of the largest background screening companies in the world and a major gatekeeper between you and your next job. Whether you’re applying for a cashier position at Walmart, a tech role at Apple, or a healthcare job at Avera Health, there’s a solid chance Sterling is the one digging through your past to tell your future employer what they think they know about you.
And they are legally obligated to get it right. If Sterling background check errors impact your career, reputation, or life, you do have options and you can fight back.
Is Sterling Part of First Advantage?
Yes, Sterling is now a subsidiary of First Advantage. In a significant move within the background screening industry, First Advantage acquired Sterling for $2.2 billion. Despite the acquisition, Sterling continues to operate under its own brand, maintaining its services and client base.
Who Uses Sterling for Background Checks?
Sterling provides background screening services to a multitude of major companies across various industries.
Some of Sterling’s notable clients include:
- Walmart
- Amazon
- Apple
- Avera Health
- General Motors
- Kroger
- Zillow
These companies depend on Sterling to vet potential employees, making the accuracy of these reports crucial for job seekers. Because of their broad reach across so many industries, Sterling background check errors significantly impact the ability of thousands of people to find and keep a quality job.
What Does a Sterling Background Check Look For?
Sterling background checks are designed to give employers a detailed snapshot of a candidate’s history.
Depending on the employer’s request, a Sterling background check may look for
- criminal records (including misdemeanors and felonies)
- employment verification
- education history
- professional licenses
- driving records
- credit checks, especially for roles that involve financial responsibility or access to sensitive data
For companies like Amazon, Walmart, or General Motors, a Sterling background check can also include
- drug testing results
- searches against sex offender registries
- global watchlists
With such a thorough review of applicants and employees, and tremendous amount of data being brokered daily, Sterling background check errors happen shockingly frequently. Sterling might pull outdated records, mix up people with similar names, or include sealed charges – all of which can cost you a job offer.
Reality Check: Sterling digs deep, but they don’t always get it right. That’s where knowing your rights and having backup from background check lawyers can make all the difference.
How Long Does a Sterling Background Check Take?
A Sterling background check typically takes between 3 to 5 business days, but it can sometimes take up to two weeks depending on the complexity of the screening.
Why Is Sterling Taking So Long?
When a Sterling background check drags on, it’s easy to feel like you’re being ghosted by the “higher ups”. The truth is, there are a few common culprits behind the hold-up. If Sterling is taking longer than expected, it might be part of their normal process, but delays can also signal a problem that needs attention.
- Trouble Verifying Info– If Sterling has trouble verifying your previous employment or education history, it can seriously slow things down. Some companies or schools take their sweet time getting back to them, if they respond at all.
- Your Screening Is Flagged– It could be that the background check flagged something, and Sterling is taking extra time to investigate. This might include public records, criminal charges, or even mismatches in Social Security numbers.
- Sterling Is Busy– Delays can be caused by Sterling’s internal backlog or system errors, especially during high hiring seasons.
When Delays in Sterling Background Check Are a Problem
As stated previously, a Sterling background check can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks. Most employers expect it to wrap up in about five business days. However, that’s not always the case. Delays are common, and they often stem from difficulties verifying information with past employers, county courts, or education institutions.
Therefore, if your application seems to be in limbo, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong on your end. But when delays stretch beyond the usual timeframe, it’s worth paying attention. It might be a sign of a deeper issue, like an actual Sterling background check error in your report or a verification snag that’s hanging you out to dry.
If your Sterling report is taking longer than expected, don’t just sit on your hands. Contact them directly and check in with your prospective employer. And if a Sterling background check error turns up on your report, don’t hesitate to start the dispute process.
Top 5 Sterling Background Check Errors
Some of the top Sterling Background Screening errors include:
- Outdated Information: Records that should have been expunged or are outdated still appearing.
- Incorrect Criminal Records: Charges or convictions inaccurately reported.
- Mistaken Identity: Common names can lead to records being attributed to the wrong individual.
- Employment History Errors: Wrong job titles, dates, or employers listed.
- Inaccurate Credit Information: Credit issues misreported or not updated.
These types of Sterling background check errors can have significant consequences including job offer withdrawals – which means it is likely time for you to: DISPUTE!
How to Dispute Sterling Background Check Errors
Sterling is required to follow the FCRA and if they make mistakes and refuse to fix them, you have every right to dispute the errors and bring in a lawyer.
If you identify Sterling background check errors or inaccuracies, follow these steps:
Obtain Your Report:
Request a copy of your background check from Sterling. By law, once you make the request, Sterling must provide it to you.
Review Thoroughly:
Go through the report meticulously to spot and highlight any errors. When highlighting errors in a report, use a clear method like underlining, circling, or using a highlighter tool if digital, to mark each incorrect item distinctly. This makes it easy for reviewers to quickly identify the disputed information and understand exactly what you’re contesting.
Gather Supporting Documents:
Collect evidence like court documents, employment records, identification, and any correspondence related to the errors. This documentation strengthens your dispute and helps prove that the things you’ve flagged as Sterling background check errors aren’t legitimate facts.
File a Dispute:
It’s recommended that you file a dispute through certified mail as it helps preserve your rights and maintains a document trail.
Notably, Sterling provides their site as a resource for your background check questions and concerns. The problem is, the page is limited because it mainly includes information about what Sterling’s background checks search for, but it fails to provide extensive information regarding your dispute options once you’re faced with a Sterling background check error.
Follow Up:
Keep records of all communications and follow up to ensure corrections are made. If Sterling takes longer than 30 days to respond, you have the right to escalate the dispute by filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or seeking legal assistance to protect your rights.
What Happens If Sterling Ignores Your Dispute?
Sterling cannot legally ignore consumer disputes – your rights are protected under the FCRA.
If you’ve submitted a dispute to Sterling about a background check error and they’ve gone radio silent, yes, that’s a problem.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Sterling has a legal obligation to investigate your dispute, typically within 30 days. If they ignore it or come back with a half-baked answer, they’re not just being lazy – they’re likely violating federal law.
And here’s where things can really turn. If Sterling fails to correct your report or refuses to take your dispute seriously, you have the right to escalate. You can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), notify your potential employer, and most importantly, get legal help.
Sterling background check errors that go unresolved can result in job loss and emotional distress. If that’s happened to you, don’t let them off the hook.
At Consumer Justice Law Firm, our credit and background check lawyers know how to hold these companies accountable. In many cases, we can help you secure monetary compensation for the damage done.
Your Rights Under the FCRA
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that ensures the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in consumer reporting agency files. Under the FCRA, you have the right to:
- Access Your Report: You can request a free copy of your background check report.
- Dispute Inaccuracies: If you find errors, you can dispute them, and the agency must investigate.
- Be Notified of Adverse Actions: If information in your report leads to negative employment decisions, you’re entitled to a notice.
Notably, the Federal Trade Commission’s FCRA page provides limited information. Check out our background check errors practice page and other articles in The Consumer Justice Blog for detailed and helpful information.
How Do I Know Which Lawyer to Choose?
Not all lawyers are built the same, especially when it comes to fighting Sterling background check errors. You want someone who doesn’t just dabble in this area, but who hones in on the complex world of the FCRA and employment background check disputes.
The best lawyers for background check issues will have a track record of dealing directly with massive, multi-billion-dollar companies like Sterling, Equifax, TransUnion, First Advantage, and others.
So how do you know who to trust? Look for law firms that don’t just say they know the FCRA but actually sue over it. Check out their client reviews, case results, and whether they offer a free consultation. And, trust your gut.
The goal is to find legal help for Sterling background check errors that actually lead to change, clearing your name and reputation, correcting your records, and getting justice for any financial or professional harm you’ve experienced.
Pro Tip: Don’t just hire any lawyer, choose one with direct and meaningful experience taking on giants like Sterling and successfully battling Sterling background check errors. Results matter, not promises.
Consumer Justice Law Firm – Real Attorneys, Real Results!
At Consumer Justice Law Firm, we don’t just know the FCRA – we live it. Our background check lawyers have handled cases against Sterling, First Advantage, and the biggest credit bureaus in the country. We’re proud to fight for people who’ve been wrongly flagged, delayed, or denied opportunities because of background check and credit report errors.
We’ve helped people just like you, job seekers who were told “no” because of someone else’s mistake. Whether it was a criminal record that didn’t belong to them, an outdated report, or an employer being misled by bad data, our attorneys stepped in and turned the tide on Sterling background check errors and mistakes, inaccuracies, and wrongful data from other background check companies as well.
We don’t charge upfront fees. If you’ve been wronged by a Sterling background check error, we’ll evaluate your case for free. If we take your case, we only get paid if you win. Because that’s how justice should work and with us, that’s how it does work.
Need proof that we’re in your corner? Check out our About Us page and our Background Check Errors practice page and you’ll see exactly who we are, how we handle these cases, and what kind of results we’ve secured.
We look forward to hearing from you! Let us get started on fixing your unjust Sterling background check errors now!