Uber Eats Background Check Errors: Denials, Disputes, & Fixes

You’re ready to work, but your Uber Eats background check is the only roadblock.

You signed up to drive for Uber Eats. You passed the vehicle requirements, downloaded the app, and expected to hit the road. But then silence.

Days turn into weeks, and your background check still hasn’t cleared. Or worse, you got denied altogether, and you have no idea why.

What they don’t tell you upfront is this, Uber Eats background checks can go wrong. And when they do, even though it’s usually not your fault, it costs you time, income, resources, and peace of mind.

At Consumer Justice Law Firm, we help Uber Eats drivers get, and stay, on the road by clearing background check errors for good. For more about background check errors in general, check out our background check errors practice page.

How the Uber Eats Background Check Really Works

Uber Eats doesn’t do the actual background checks itself. Instead, it uses a company called Checkr to perform background checks on potential delivery partners.

Once you enter your personal information, including your Social Security number, Checkr pulls your records and compiles a report based on criminal history, driving records, identity verification, and national and local databases.

While this sounds routine, there’s little transparency in what actually happens after you submit your application. You’re left in the dark, with only vague timelines and automated updates – if any.

How Long Does an Uber Eats Background Check Take?

The official help page claims Uber Eats background checks typically take 3–5 business days. But many drivers report waiting 7 to 14 days or more. Others hear nothing for weeks, then get denied with no explanation.

Why the delays? Delays can occur because of things like system errors, where outdated information gets flagged, or mixed files which occur when data in your report gets confused with someone else’s. Either of these scenarios requires extra review.

The real issue is that Uber doesn’t make any of this clear when you sign up. There’s no warning that a minor data mismatch or reporting error could derail your entire application.

The Most Common Uber Eats Background Check Mistakes

There’s a lot they don’t tell you when you apply, including the fact that the Uber Eats background check system isn’t perfect. In fact, errors are extremely common.

At Consumer Justice Law Firm, we help clients with the following mistakes and more:

• Mistaken Identity: A person with a similar name or date of birth has a criminal record, and it shows up on your report.
• Old or Expunged Charges: Records that should’ve been sealed or cleared are still reported.
• Social Security Number Errors: A typo in your SSN can lead to an “unable to verify identity” denial.
• Mixed Background Reports: Your file includes information from someone else’s record.
• Outdated Data: Past infractions that no longer appear on public record still show up on your Checkr report.

Most applicants don’t realize how often these issues happen or that they have a legal right to dispute and correct them.

What Happens If You’re Denied Due to an Uber Eats Background Check Error?

If Uber decides not to move forward with your application because of what’s in your Checkr report, they’re required by law to follow specific steps to let you know:

1. send you a pre-adverse action notice informing you that they plan to deny your application
2. include a copy of the report
3. include a copy of your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
4. inform you about a waiting period (usually 5–7 days) to allow you to dispute any incorrect information
5. send you a final adverse action notice if you don’t respond or if they proceed with denial.

The problem? These notices are often confusing, and many drivers miss the narrow dispute window. Others never receive them at all. And even if you do try to dispute it, you may hit a wall with Checkr’s automated systems or Uber’s lack of direct support.

How to Dispute a Background Check from Checkr

If you believe your Uber Eats background check is wrong, don’t ignore it – you have the legal right to challenge the error.

Many applicants assume they’re out of options after a denial, but that’s not true. Disputing an Uber Eats background check is your first step toward clearing your name and moving forward.

Here’s how to begin the process:

1. Review the full background check report.
   • Once you receive the pre-adverse action notice, go through the report line by line. Look for anything that doesn’t belong to you – such as unfamiliar charges, mismatched dates of birth, or criminal records from another state.
2. Gather documentation.
   • Accuracy matters. If you’re disputing a criminal charge that’s been dismissed or expunged, locate certified court records. If it’s a case of mistaken identity, prepare proof like your driver’s license, Social Security card, or a notarized affidavit verifying your information.
3. File a dispute with Checkr.
   • Some people go straight to the Checkr Candidate Portal and start a new dispute. But the issue is that disputing online usually requires you to waive important rights.
   • This is why we recommend disputing through certified mail. Be concise but thoroughly explain what’s wrong and why it should be removed.
4. Include your supporting documents.
   • The more evidence you provide, the more likely Checkr will take your claim seriously. Screenshots, PDFs, and official letters can all help validate your dispute.
5. Wait for a response.
   • Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Checkr must investigate your claim and provide results within 30 days. In some cases, you may hear back sooner.
   • If the investigation confirms an error, they must correct it and send you an updated copy of your background report.

It’s also a good idea to notify Uber Eats directly that you’re disputing the results. While Uber defers to Checkr, keeping them informed may help your case stay open during the review process.

If Checkr fails to fix the error or doesn’t respond at all, don’t give up. You may be entitled to compensation, and an attorney experienced in background check disputes can help you take legal action.

Real-Life Stories of Uber Eats Background Check Errors

At Consumer Justice Law Firm, we’ve worked with countless Uber Eats drivers who were wrongfully denied work because of background check mistakes, many of which could have been easily avoided with proper oversight.

Mark: Take Mark, a Nevada man whose background report included a dismissed misdemeanor from over 10 years ago. Despite having no convictions and a clean driving record, Checkr flagged his application and Uber denied him without explanation. It wasn’t until Mark filed a formal dispute with supporting court records that he was finally cleared to drive.

Jasmine: Then there’s Jasmine, a single mother in Texas who discovered her report showed a suspended license from another state. The problem? It wasn’t hers. It belonged to someone with the same name and birth year. That error delayed her start by more than a month.

Aiden: A former teacher from California, Aiden had a record expunged years ago, yet it still appeared on his Checkr report. He lost his chance to drive while between jobs, all because outdated data wasn’t removed.

Natalie: A graduate student in Illinois, Natalie was flagged for a drug charge that, as it turned out, belonged to her estranged half-brother. Checkr had mixed their files.

Carlos: A delivery driver in Florida, Carlos was told he had a violent felony. It was later proven the arrest occurred in a different state where Carlos had never lived.

These aren’t rare cases, they’re just some of the ones we’ve helped fix. In many situations, we not only corrected the background report but also recovered compensation under the Fair Credit Reporting Act for the harm done.

If you’ve had a similar experience, you do have options, but your time to act may be limited, so don’t sit on it too long. You have more power than Uber or Checkr may lead you to believe.

Your Rights for Unfair Denials Based on Background Check Errors

Let’s say you apply to drive and get denied because of a criminal charge that doesn’t belong to you. You’re shocked and confused. But under the FCRA, you’re legally entitled to many rights.

1. You have the right to receive a pre-adverse action notice, which is essentially a warning that you might be denied employment.
2. You have the right to respond. Only after that can they issue a final denial (called an adverse action). If they skip these steps, it may be a serious violation of your rights.
3. You have the right to obtain a copy of the report. In fact, you must receive the full background check used to make the decision.
4. You have the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information. 
5. You have the right to receive a response to your dispute within 30 days. 
6. If they don’t respond to your dispute, you have the right to sue for damages.
7. If Checkr or Uber fails to follow the law, you have the right to seek money (compensation) for the harm they caused.

The FCRA was written to protect individuals, not corporations. So, if you’ve been wrongly denied a job, don’t just accept it. You likely have more options and more legal leverage than you think!

How to Protect Yourself Before and After Applying

The Uber Eats driver sign-up process is marketed as fast, easy, and flexible. But they don’t disclose the fine print – your application depends on a third-party report that could be flawed, outdated, or misleading and you’ll have limited support if it goes wrong.

Uber protects itself by outsourcing the background check process to Checkr. But drivers bear the burden when something goes wrong. Most applicants are never told they can dispute mistakes, or that they could take legal action if their rights are violated.

Want to avoid getting caught off guard? Here’s what you can do:

• Check your background in advance. You can request a copy of your criminal or driving record before applying.
• Review your credit and identity reports. Discrepancies in your Social Security number, address, or name can create issues.
• Apply carefully. Make sure all your info is accurate and matches public records.
• Save every email and message. Keep documentation in case you need to file a dispute or lawsuit.
• Know your rights. Don’t accept a denial without reviewing your full report and responding if it’s wrong.

When to Talk to a Background Check Lawyer

If any of these situations applies to you, you should get a free consultation with one of our background check lawyers at Consumer Justice Law Firm.

1. You’ve disputed an Uber Eats background check error and still got denied for it.
2. You never received your pre-adverse action notice.
3. You never heard back from Checkr after filing a dispute.
4. You successfully disputed an Uber Eats background check error only to have the same error surface again in another background check report for Uber Eats or any other company.
5. You suffered harm in your career, finances, reputation, or mental health due to an Uber Eats background check error.

If you’ve experienced any of these things (or similar), you may be entitled to get money (compensation).

Legal help isn’t just for big lawsuits. At Consumer Justice Law Firm, we help everyday people take back control after being mistreated by background check companies.

GET JUSTICE! Fight for Fixes and Money

Driving for Uber Eats is supposed to be simple. But for too many people, the Uber Eats background check becomes a roadblock they never saw coming.

Whether you’ve been delayed, denied, or feel like your application was unfairly rejected, you don’t have to accept it.

A single error on a Checkr report shouldn’t stand between you and your ability to work. If your Uber Eats background check has taken a wrong turn, you have the right to dispute it, and get help if the system fails you.

FREE CONSULTATIONS! You pay nothing out of pocket. We only get paid when we win. NO JUSTICE, NO FEE!