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Understanding Background Checks and Why They Matter

A background check is a report that contains information about a person's history. Employers, landlords, and other organizations use background checks to learn more about someone before making decisions like hiring or renting. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, about 76% of employers conduct some form of background check on job candidates. Background checks can include criminal records, employment history, credit information, driving records, and education verification.

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Background checks vary depending on who is running them and what they are looking for. A criminal background check might show arrests, convictions, or court records. An employment background check might verify that you actually worked at the jobs you listed on your resume. A rental background check could include criminal history and payment history. Understanding what information is collected about you and where it comes from is the first step toward managing your personal information.

Many people are surprised to learn that background check information is gathered by private companies called consumer reporting agencies. These agencies collect data from public records, court systems, law enforcement, and other sources. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that about 1 in 4 Americans have found errors in their background check reports. This is why learning about your own background check information is important.

Your background check information can affect major life decisions. A criminal record on a background check might impact your job prospects, housing options, or professional licenses. Employment verification errors could cause you to lose a job offer. Understanding what information exists about you gives you the chance to correct mistakes before they cause problems.

Practical Takeaway: Background checks are routine tools used by many organizations, and they contain specific types of information depending on the purpose. Learning what is included in different types of background checks helps you understand what information exists about you and why organizations might request this information.

How to Obtain Your Own Background Check Information

You have the right to know what information is in your background check. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives consumers the ability to request their own consumer report from background check companies. This is different from getting a background check run on you by an employer or landlord—you are requesting your own information directly from the company that holds it.

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There are several ways to get your background check information. Many consumer reporting agencies offer free reports online through their websites. You can visit the websites of major background check companies and look for a section that says "Request Your Report," "Consumer Disclosure," or "View Your Information." You will typically need to enter personal information like your name, date of birth, address, and sometimes your Social Security number to verify your identity. The process usually takes a few minutes.

If you prefer not to request information online, you can submit a written request by mail. Send a letter to the background check company's address with your full name, date of birth, current address, previous addresses from the past five years, and phone number. You should also include a copy of a form of identification. Include a statement that you are requesting your consumer disclosure report. Mail your letter to the company's consumer relations or disclosure department. Companies must respond within 30 days according to FCRA rules.

You can also request your information by phone. Many background check companies have phone numbers listed on their websites where you can call to request your report. When you call, be ready to provide personal information to verify your identity. The company may mail your report to you or make it available online.

Here are the major background check companies where you can request your information:

• Equifax—handles employment and criminal background checks
• Experian—provides employment history and background information
• TransUnion—manages consumer reporting and background data
• First Advantage—processes employment screening reports
• Checkr—maintains employment and criminal background records
• Sterling Talent Solutions—holds hiring and verification information

Practical Takeaway: You can get your own background check information through online requests, written mail requests, or phone calls. Most background check companies process requests within 30 days and many offer free reports when you request them yourself.

What Information to Look for in Your Background Check Report

When you receive your background check report, you should carefully review every section. Your report will likely contain several types of information, and understanding each section helps you spot errors. Here are the main categories of information that typically appear in background check reports:

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Personal Information: This section includes your name, date of birth, Social Security number, current and previous addresses, and phone numbers. Verify that this information is correct. If you have moved frequently, make sure all your previous addresses are listed accurately. Mistakes in personal information can cause the report to mix up your records with someone else's records.

Criminal History: This section lists arrests, charges, and convictions. It may include misdemeanors and felonies. Check the dates, charges, and outcomes. If a case was dismissed or you were found not guilty, this information should be noted in the report. Some states allow you to seal or expunge certain criminal records, which means they should not appear on background checks.

Employment History: This part verifies jobs you have listed. It shows employment dates, job titles, and sometimes salary information. Employers report this information when asked to verify employment. Make sure the dates match what you remember and that job titles are accurate. If a previous employer reported incorrect information, this is where you will see it.

Education Verification: This section confirms degrees, diplomas, and certificates you claimed. Schools provide this information when asked. If you listed a college degree, the report should show the school name, graduation date, and degree. Check that graduation dates are correct and that the school names are spelled correctly.

Driving and Motor Vehicle Records: If included, this section shows your driving history, traffic violations, and license status. It may show accidents, moving violations, or license suspensions. Verify that the license number and expiration date are accurate.

Court Records and Civil Judgments: This section may show lawsuits, judgments, or liens. It displays public court information related to financial or civil matters. Check that any listed items actually involve you and are accurately described.

Practical Takeaway: Review each section of your background check report carefully and compare it to your own records. Take notes of anything that seems inaccurate or incomplete so you can address errors with the reporting company.

How to Dispute and Correct Errors in Your Report

If you find mistakes in your background check report, you have the right to dispute them. The FCRA requires background check companies to correct inaccurate information within 30 days of receiving your dispute. Many errors on background check reports are simple mistakes, like misspelled names, wrong dates, or information about someone else being mixed with your record.

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To dispute an error, contact the background check company that issued the report. Most companies have a dispute process on their website where you can submit a form explaining what information is wrong and why. You will need to describe the error clearly and explain what the correct information should be. For example, you might write: "The report lists a conviction for theft in 2015, but I was not convicted of this crime. The charges were dismissed in 2014."

When you submit a dispute, include supporting documents that prove the information is wrong. This might be court records, letters from your employer, school transcripts, or other official documents. If you are disputing a criminal record, you may include a certified court document showing the case was dismissed or you were found not guilty. If you are disputing employment information, ask your previous employer for a letter confirming your employment dates and job title.

Send your dispute in writing through the company's online portal if available, or by mail to their dispute department. Keep copies of everything you send. Many companies accept disputes online, which allows you to track the status of your dispute. The company must respond to your dispute within 30 days.

Here is what happens during the dispute process: The background check company investigates your claim by contacting the source of the information. For example, if you dispute a criminal record, they contact the court. If you dispute employment information, they contact your former employer. The source verifies whether the information is correct or incorrect. If the information is found to be inaccurate, the company removes or corrects it.

If the company finds that the information is accurate, they will tell you so. In that case,