When Checkr Gets It Wrong: What to Do If Your Background Check Is Blocking You from Work

 If you're applying to work for companies like Uber, DoorDash, Grubhub, Instacart, or Lyft, there's a good chance you'll be screened by Checkr, one of the largest background check companies in the U.S. But what happens when Checkr reports something false or misleading about you, and you lose the job because of it?

This is happening more often than people realize. Inaccurate criminal charges, outdated traffic violations, or even someone else's record can show up on your Checkr background report. And when it does, it can block you from working altogether.

My Experience with a Checkr Mistake

I was deactivated from Grubhub out of nowhere after nearly two years of delivering. When I looked into it, Checkr had flagged a theft charge—something that wasn’t even mine. I had no idea how it got there. I hadn’t changed my name, hadn’t moved, nothing. But suddenly, I couldn’t work, and no one was offering answers.

Like many others, I assumed the only thing I could do was file a dispute and wait. But here’s the truth: you don’t always have to dispute before taking legal action.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Protects You

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), background check companies like Checkr are legally required to:

  • Report accurate and up-to-date information

  • Use reasonable procedures to ensure your report is correct

  • Fix errors in a timely way—usually within 30 days

But here’s the part most people don’t know: if Checkr’s mistake is serious and clearly harmful—like reporting someone else’s criminal record as yours—you can go straight to a lawsuit. You are not always required to file a formal dispute first.

Why? Because the law also holds Checkr responsible for the accuracy of the report before they send it to your employer or gig platform. If they didn't take proper steps to verify the data, they may already be in violation of the FCRA, regardless of whether you disputed it.

When You Can Sue Checkr Without Disputing

Here are some examples where consumers have taken legal action without disputing first:

  • Checkr reported that the person was "deceased," leading to loss of access to jobs or credit.

  • Someone else’s criminal record appeared on the report due to a name or SSN mix-up.

  • A sealed or expunged charge was reported and caused job denial.

  • Checkr failed to notify the applicant that the report was used to make a negative decision.

In these cases, the damage is already done. The law allows you to seek compensation for lost work, emotional distress, and reputational harm.

What You Can Recover in a Lawsuit

If your report was inaccurate and it harmed you, you may be entitled to:

  • Lost wages or income

  • Emotional distress damages

  • Statutory damages up to $1,000 per violation

  • Punitive damages, in cases of willful misconduct

  • Attorney’s fees, so you pay nothing out of pocket

Many people don’t pursue this because they think lawsuits are expensive or complicated. But most consumer attorneys who handle FCRA cases don’t charge upfront. They only get paid if you win.

You Don’t Have to Just Accept It

If you’ve been denied work because of a background check error, don’t assume your only option is waiting weeks for a generic dispute response. You have legal rights, and you don’t have to accept silence or delays, especially if Checkr’s mistake is serious.

Start by reviewing your report and seeing if the information is clearly wrong. If it is, and it’s affecting your ability to work, talk to an attorney who handles background check cases. They’ll tell you if you have a case and help you take the next steps.

If you need to get your Checkr report, go to https://checkrdispute.com and request it directly.

Don’t let an algorithm or a careless system decide your future. When background check companies fail to do their job, the law gives you the tools to hold them accountable, and possibly get compensated in the process.

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