What Gig Workers and Job Seekers Need to Know
Checkr Inc. is one of the largest background check companies in the United States, known for powering screening services for popular gig economy platforms like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Shipt, Amazon Flex, Instacart, SPIN, and more. While their technology promises faster hiring decisions and streamlined onboarding, the reality for many job seekers and independent contractors is far less ideal. Errors in Checkr background checks can cause unfair job denials, lost income, and personal hardship.
At Jaffer Law, we represent individuals—never companies—who have suffered harm due to inaccurate, outdated, or misleading background reports furnished by Checkr. If you’ve been denied work or deactivated from a gig economy platform due to a background check error, this article is for you.
What Is Checkr and How Does It Work?
Checkr is a background screening company that uses artificial intelligence and automated data tools to pull information from public and private sources, then compile that data into a report for potential employers or contractor platforms. It is a “consumer reporting agency” under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which means it must comply with strict federal regulations when furnishing reports about individuals.
Checkr’s reports often include:
- Criminal records (local, state, federal)
- Traffic violations or driving records
- Sex offender registry searches
- Terrorist watchlist screening
- Education or employment verification
- Social Security number validation
- Global watchlist searches
For workers applying to jobs with Uber, Lyft, Amazon Flex, Shipt, etc., Checkr plays a central role in determining whether you can get approved—or remain approved—to work.
Common Issues in Checkr Background Checks
Unfortunately, Checkr’s rapid, automated processes often result in serious errors. These inaccuracies can block qualified workers from jobs or lead to unexpected terminations from existing platforms. Here are the most common problems we see:
1. Mistaken Identity or Mixed Files
Checkr may match your name and date of birth to someone else’s criminal record. If that person has a conviction in another state or county and your details are similar, Checkr may incorrectly assign their charges to you.
2. Outdated Information
Federal law limits how long certain negative information can be reported. For example:
- Arrests not leading to conviction: 7 years
- Paid civil judgments and debts: 7 years
- Most bankruptcies: 10 years
If Checkr includes old or expunged charges in your report, they may be violating your rights under the FCRA.
3. Reporting Charges Without Disposition
If Checkr lists charges without indicating whether they were dismissed, resolved, or resulted in a not guilty verdict, the report could give a misleading picture of your record.
4. Misreporting of Traffic or Driving Violations
For workers who drive (Uber, Lyft, Amazon Flex), even minor traffic violations can result in deactivation if they’re incorrectly flagged. Checkr may list infractions that were dismissed or inaccurately classify them as more serious than they were.
5. Delayed or Incomplete Disputes
When you dispute an error, Checkr has 30 days to reinvestigate—but many individuals experience delays, inadequate follow-up, or denials without explanation.
Your Legal Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
The FCRA gives you powerful protections when a background check is used to make employment or contracting decisions:
1. Right to Consent
You must give written consent before any background check is conducted.
2. Right to Notice Before Adverse Action
If Checkr’s report causes an employer or platform to deny your application or deactivate your account, they must give you a “pre-adverse action notice” and a copy of the report.
3. Right to Dispute
If the report is wrong, you can file a dispute with Checkr. They must investigate and correct any inaccuracies within 30 days.
4. Right to Sue
If Checkr fails to follow the law, or if the errors in your report cause you harm, you may be entitled to compensation. That includes lost wages, emotional distress, and even punitive damages in serious cases.
How to Spot Errors in Your Checkr Background Report
If you’ve been denied work or deactivated from a platform like Lyft, Uber, or Amazon Flex, request a copy of your Checkr report immediately. Look for:
- Charges that don’t belong to you
- Outdated convictions or dismissed cases
- Incomplete or misleading entries
- Information from states or counties you’ve never lived in
Be especially cautious of reports that list charges without clear outcomes, which could imply guilt where none exists.
How to Dispute an Inaccurate Checkr Report
Here’s how to take action if you see errors in your background check:
Step 1: Request Your Report
Visit Checkr’s candidate portal or use their customer support line to obtain a full copy of your report.
Step 2: Identify All Mistakes
Carefully review every section of the report. Mark any items that are:
- False or don’t belong to you
- Too old to be reported under the FCRA
- Incorrect in how they are described (wrong date, severity, or outcome)
Step 3: Gather Documentation
Collect any records that prove the error—court documents, dismissal orders, proof of identity, or DMV records.
Step 4: File a Dispute
You can submit a dispute to Checkr through their website or by mail. Be specific about the errors and attach copies of your evidence. Make sure to keep a copy of everything you send.
Step 5: Follow Up
Under the FCRA, Checkr has 30 days to investigate and respond. If they confirm the error, they must fix it and send you an updated report. If they do not correct it or give you a vague denial, that’s where Jaffer Law can step in to help.
What If I Already Lost the Job or Got Deactivated?
If a Checkr report caused you to:
- Lose a job offer
- Get deactivated from a platform like Uber or Amazon Flex
- Lose income or opportunity
- Suffer embarrassment or emotional distress
…you may be entitled to financial compensation under federal law.
You do not need to wait for Checkr to fix it on their own. If you’ve already suffered harm, Jaffer Law can help you fight back and hold them accountable.
Why These Errors Happen So Often
Checkr’s business model relies heavily on automation and fast data pulls. But in their rush to serve corporate clients quickly, accuracy can suffer. When your livelihood depends on the results of a background check, even one small mistake can cost you everything.
In many cases, the errors arise from:
- Incomplete county court records
- Mismatched databases
- Software flaws in record parsing
- Lack of human review before reports are released
Checkr may prioritize speed over accuracy—leaving hardworking individuals to deal with the fallout.
How Jaffer Law Can Help
At Jaffer Law, we represent individuals nationwide who have been denied employment or deactivated from gig platforms due to background check errors.
We can help you:
- Understand whether your rights were violated
- Navigate the dispute process with Checkr
- Demand compensation for financial and emotional harm
- File a lawsuit if necessary
Our team handles these cases at no upfront cost to you. We only get paid if we win.
Examples of Platforms That Use Checkr
If you’ve applied or worked for any of the following, your background check likely came from Checkr:
- Uber
- Lyft
- DoorDash
- Amazon Flex
- Instacart
- Shipt
- SPIN
- Postmates
- Grubhub
- Wonolo
- TaskRabbit
- Rover
If a Checkr report caused you to lose work on any of these platforms, contact us for a free case evaluation.
You Have Rights—Use Them
Checkr is a powerful gatekeeper in the gig economy, but that doesn’t mean they’re above the law. If you’ve been hurt by an error on your background check, you have the right to challenge it—and to be compensated for the harm caused.
Let Jaffer Law fight for you. We hold background check companies accountable when they get it wrong.
Jaffer Law. When Background Checks Go Wrong, We Make It Right.