How Jaffer Law Can Help You Clear Your Record and Protect Your Future
Have you been denied a job, housing, or professional license because of a background check report? Are you seeing criminal records, employment data, or addresses that aren’t yours? If so, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to live with it.
Jaffer Law is a leading consumer protection law firm that helps individuals across the country fix background check errors and hold background screening companies accountable under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). We don’t just dispute errors — we sue when necessary and help you win compensation for the harm caused.
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Why Background Check Errors Are So Common
Background check companies process millions of records every day, often relying on outdated court databases, poorly maintained public records, and automated systems with little human oversight. When companies like Checkr, HireRight, First Advantage, Sterling, or GoodHire rush to deliver results to employers or landlords, accuracy takes a back seat.
Some of the most common causes of background check errors include:
- Common names causing mixed or merged files
- Outdated records that should have been expunged or sealed
- Data entry errors such as transposed digits or incorrect counties
- Duplicate social security numbers triggering false matches
- Failure to verify identities before publishing sensitive information
The result? Innocent people are being denied jobs, promotions, apartments, or licenses because of someone else’s mistake.
What Is a Background Check Report?
A background check report is a consumer report that can include:
- Criminal records (arrests, charges, convictions, dismissals)
- Employment history
- Education verification
- Credit information
- Driving records
- Civil court judgments
- Sex offender registry checks
- Terrorist watch list searches
Employers, landlords, and licensing boards use this information to make decisions that can seriously impact your life. That’s why federal law — specifically the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) — requires background checks to be accurate, up-to-date, and fair.
Your Legal Rights Under the FCRA
The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you powerful legal rights when it comes to your background check:
- Right to Accuracy – Information must be complete and up-to-date
- Right to Notification – You must be notified if you’re denied based on a background check
- Right to Dispute – You can dispute any inaccurate or incomplete information
- Right to Reinvestigation – The company must investigate and correct the error within 30 days
- Right to Sue – If your rights are violated, you can sue and recover money damages
- Right to a Free Copy – You’re entitled to a free copy of the background report if you were denied a job, housing, or license
Common Background Check Mistakes We See at Jaffer Law
At Jaffer Law, our FCRA attorneys handle background check cases every day. Some of the most frequent — and damaging — errors include:
1. Reporting Expunged or Sealed Records
If your criminal case was expunged, sealed, dismissed, or set aside by the court, it should not appear on your background check. Unfortunately, many background screeners ignore court orders and report it anyway — which is a violation of the FCRA.
2. Mistaken Identity / Mixed Files
If someone else shares your name, birthdate, or a similar Social Security number, their records can appear on your report. This often leads to inaccurate criminal charges, employment history, or credit issues being attributed to you.
3. Outdated Criminal Charges
The FCRA prohibits reporting arrests that didn’t result in conviction if they’re more than 7 years old (in most cases). Reporting stale charges can unfairly damage your reputation and violate your rights.
4. Incorrect Disposition or Court Outcome
Even when the right case is reported, the wrong result often appears. A case dismissed or resolved with a not-guilty verdict may be shown as a conviction, misleading potential employers.
5. Employment Verification Errors
Many background checks misreport your job title, dates of employment, or termination status. This can lead to rejection in competitive hiring markets.
6. Duplicate or Multiple Entries
One record may appear several times, exaggerating its significance or making it look like you have a criminal history when you do not.
7. Lack of Notification
If an employer uses a background check to deny you a job but doesn’t give you a copy of the report or a chance to correct it — they’ve broken the law.
Real Case Example: “Anthony’s Denied Job Offer”
Anthony, a Texas resident, applied for a warehouse job. After two interviews, he was offered the position pending a background check. Days later, the offer was revoked due to a reported felony drug conviction. But Anthony had never even been charged with a crime.
Jaffer Law investigated and found the background check company had confused Anthony with another person living in the same county. We filed a lawsuit under the FCRA and recovered damages, along with correction of his report.
How to Fix Background Check Errors
Here’s what you should do if your background report contains false or damaging information:
1. Request a Copy of the Report
If you’ve been denied employment or housing, request a copy of the report immediately. The company must provide it for free.
2. Review the Report Carefully
Look for any criminal records, addresses, employment details, or other information that doesn’t belong to you or is outdated.
3. Gather Supporting Documents
Court orders, expungement documents, letters from past employers, and identity records will help prove your case.
4. Submit a Written Dispute
Send a dispute letter to the background screening company (and employer if applicable). Include copies of your documents and explain the error clearly. Send it by certified mail and keep proof of delivery.
5. Let Jaffer Law Step In
If the background screener doesn’t fix the issue within 30 days — or if you’ve already suffered a denial — you may be entitled to compensation. We can help you sue and hold them accountable.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Under the FCRA, you may be entitled to:
- Statutory Damages – Up to $1,000 per violation (even without proving harm)
- Actual Damages – Compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, reputational harm, and more
- Punitive Damages – In cases of willful or repeated violations
- Attorney’s Fees and Costs – Paid by the background screening company or employer
Why Choose Jaffer Law to Fix Your Background Check
We are not a credit repair company. We are real attorneys who take real legal action when your rights are violated.
Here’s why thousands of consumers trust Jaffer Law:
✔ Free Case Evaluations – We’ll review your situation at no charge
✔ No Fees Unless You Win – We only get paid if we recover money for you
✔ Federal Court Experience – We sue background check companies and win
✔ Nationwide Reach – We handle cases in all 50 states
✔ Aggressive Advocacy – We push for fast corrections and maximum recovery
✔ Personalized Attention – You’re not just a case number — you’re our priority
We Represent Clients Against All Major Background Check Companies
We handle claims involving:
- Checkr
- HireRight
- Sterling
- First Advantage
- AccurateNow
- GoodHire
- IntelliCorp
- Universal Background Screening
- Tenant screening companies like CoreLogic, TransUnion SmartMove, and AppFolio
FAQ: Fixing Background Check Errors
Q: How long does it take to fix a background check error?
A: By law, screening companies have 30 days to investigate and respond to your dispute. With legal pressure, it can happen faster.
Q: Can I still sue even if the report was eventually corrected?
A: Yes. If the error caused you harm — like a lost job — you can still recover damages, even if it’s fixed later.
Q: Is it expensive to hire Jaffer Law?
A: No. We work on contingency — meaning no upfront cost and no fees unless we win.
Q: What if the background check company says it’s not their fault?
A: The FCRA holds them responsible for accuracy. Blaming the source of the data isn’t a defense.
Let Jaffer Law Fix Your Background Check and Fight for You
You’ve worked hard to build your future — don’t let someone else’s mistake take it away. At Jaffer Law, we fix background check errors, restore reputations, and recover damages for people just like you.