Your Right to Accurate, Fair, and Reliable Background Screening

At Fidelity Background Checks, we understand that the information contained in a background screening report can affect important opportunities, including employment, housing, and other decisions.

If you believe information in a background check report is inaccurate, incomplete, or belongs to someone else, you have the right to dispute that information under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Consumer reporting agencies are required to follow applicable procedures for investigating qualifying disputes and correcting or removing information when required by law.

This page explains how to identify possible errors, submit a background check dispute, understand the investigation process, and exercise your consumer rights.

What Is a Background Check Dispute?

A background check dispute is a request to review information in a consumer report that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.

Background screening reports may contain information obtained from courts, public records, employers, educational institutions, and other authorized sources.

Although consumer reporting agencies must follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy, errors can sometimes occur.

If you believe a report contains incorrect information, you can request an investigation from the consumer reporting agency that prepared it.

Common reasons for disputes include:

• Criminal records incorrectly associated with your identity.

• Incorrect criminal charge descriptions or case dispositions.

• Arrests or charges reported without accurate updated information.

• Records that have been sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted from reporting.

• Incorrect employment dates or job titles.

• Inaccurate education or professional credential information.

• Duplicate records or misleading information.

• Records that should no longer be reported under applicable law.

• Incorrect personal identifying information.

You do not need to know exactly how an error occurred to submit a dispute.

Your Right to Dispute Background Check Information

The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives consumers the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information maintained by consumer reporting agencies.

When a qualifying dispute is submitted, the consumer reporting agency generally must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation to determine whether the disputed information is accurate and complete.

Under the FCRA:

• Disputes must generally be investigated without charge.

• Most reinvestigations must be completed within 30 days.

• Certain circumstances permit an extension of up to 15 additional days.

• Inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information must be corrected or deleted as required by law.

• Consumers generally must receive written notification of reinvestigation results within five business days after completion.

• Consumers may have additional rights when they disagree with the results.

These protections apply to qualifying consumer report disputes, subject to applicable legal requirements and exceptions.

How to Submit a Background Check Dispute

If Fidelity Background Checks prepared a consumer report about you and you believe it contains an error, you can begin the dispute process by contacting Fidelity through its designated consumer dispute channel.

Step 1: Review Your Background Check Report

Carefully review the information in your report and identify any records or details you believe are inaccurate or incomplete.

Make note of the specific information you wish to dispute, including relevant dates, names, record descriptions, or other identifying details.

Step 2: Contact Fidelity Background Checks

Contact Fidelity Background Checks through the designated consumer dispute process and explain which information you believe is incorrect.

You may identify the disputed information and provide a brief explanation of why you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete.

Consumer Dispute Contact Information

Fidelity Background Checks
Website: https://fidelitybackgroundchecks.com/

Dispute Phone: [Insert Verified Consumer Dispute Phone Number]
Dispute Email: [Insert Verified Secure Dispute Email or Portal]
Mailing Address: [Insert Verified Dispute Mailing Address]

Consumers should use the verified dispute contact methods provided by Fidelity Background Checks.

Step 3: Provide Supporting Information When Available

Supporting documentation may help clarify the information being disputed.

Depending on the nature of the dispute, useful documentation may include:

• Court documents showing a case dismissal or corrected disposition.

• Official records showing that a record was sealed or expunged.

• Employment records or verification letters.

• Educational transcripts or degree verification.

• Documentation showing a mistaken identity.

• Other records relevant to the disputed information.

Supporting documents are helpful but are not necessarily required to initiate a dispute.

Do not send Social Security numbers, copies of identification, or other sensitive personal information through unsecured email or general website contact forms.

Step 4: Investigation of the Disputed Information

After receiving a qualifying dispute, the consumer reporting agency must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation under applicable law.

Depending on the information involved, this process may include reviewing the disputed record, examining relevant documentation, and contacting appropriate information sources.

The agency must consider relevant information provided by the consumer and follow applicable FCRA reinvestigation requirements.

Step 5: Receive and Review the Investigation Results

Once the reinvestigation is complete, the consumer reporting agency generally must notify you of the results within five business days.

If the investigation identifies inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information, the agency must take the corrective action required by law.

You may also have the right to request that certain parties who previously received your report be notified of corrections or deletions.

How Long Does a Background Check Dispute Take?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, most qualifying disputes must be reinvestigated within 30 days of receipt.

In certain circumstances, the investigation period may be extended by up to 15 additional days, such as when relevant additional information is received during the original investigation period.

Some disputes may be resolved sooner, depending on the nature of the information and the records involved.

The legally applicable investigation period depends on the circumstances of the dispute.

What Happens If an Error Is Found?

If a reinvestigation determines that information is inaccurate, incomplete, or cannot be verified, the consumer reporting agency must promptly delete or modify the information as appropriate under the FCRA.

Corrective action may include:

• Correcting inaccurate identifying information.

• Updating criminal record dispositions.

• Removing records incorrectly matched to another person.

• Correcting employment or education verification details.

• Deleting information that cannot be verified.

• Updating the report to reflect accurate information.

Where required by law, the consumer reporting agency must provide an updated disclosure or other information concerning the investigation results.

What If I Disagree With the Dispute Results?

If you continue to believe information is inaccurate after a reinvestigation, you may have additional rights under the FCRA.

These may include requesting a description of the procedures used during the reinvestigation, submitting a statement of dispute for inclusion in your file, and requesting that certain previous recipients be notified of corrections.

You may also submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or seek legal guidance regarding your rights.

For more information, visit https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/.

Disputing Criminal Background Check Information

Criminal record disputes may involve mistaken identity, outdated case information, incorrect charge descriptions, or incomplete court dispositions.

If your report contains criminal history information you believe is incorrect, identify the specific record and explain the issue.

Depending on the circumstances, relevant documentation may include court orders, case disposition records, or official records confirming that information was sealed, expunged, or corrected.

Whether a particular criminal record may lawfully be reported depends on applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Disputing Employment or Education Verification Information

Employment and education verification reports may contain incorrect dates, job titles, degree information, or other details.

If you believe verification information is inaccurate, you may dispute it with the consumer reporting agency that prepared the report.

Relevant supporting materials may include employment verification letters, pay records, diplomas, transcripts, or other appropriate documents.

The consumer reporting agency must follow applicable investigation requirements when reviewing qualifying disputes.

Background Check Disputes and Employment Decisions

A background check dispute may arise while an employer is considering a hiring, promotion, or other employment decision.

When an employer is considering adverse action based in whole or in part on a consumer report, the FCRA generally requires the employer to provide the applicant with a copy of the report and a summary of FCRA rights before taking the adverse action.

This process is commonly called pre-adverse action.

If the employer ultimately takes adverse action based on the report, additional notice requirements generally apply.

Filing a dispute does not automatically require an employer to hold a position open or suspend every employment decision. However, employers must comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

Consumers who discover an error during the hiring process should promptly contact the consumer reporting agency and may also wish to inform the employer that the information is being disputed.

Protecting Your Personal Information During a Dispute

Background screening disputes may involve sensitive personal information.

When submitting a dispute, use verified communication channels and provide only information reasonably necessary to identify the report and explain the issue.

Avoid submitting Social Security numbers, driver’s license copies, or other sensitive records through unsecured communication methods.

If additional identity verification is necessary, request instructions for submitting documents securely.

Frequently Asked Questions About Background Check Disputes

How do I dispute an incorrect background check?

Contact the consumer reporting agency that prepared the report, identify the information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete, and explain the reason for your dispute. Supporting documentation may be helpful but is not necessarily required.

Does it cost money to dispute a background check?

No. Under the FCRA, consumer reporting agencies generally must investigate qualifying disputes without charging the consumer.

How long does a background check dispute investigation take?

Most qualifying disputes must be reinvestigated within 30 days. Certain circumstances allow an extension of up to 15 additional days.

Can I dispute a criminal record that does not belong to me?

Yes. If your background check contains criminal history information belonging to another person, you may dispute the information and request an investigation.

What if my criminal case was dismissed or expunged?

You may dispute information that you believe inaccurately reflects a dismissal, expungement, or other legal disposition. Whether a record can be reported depends on the circumstances and applicable law.

Will correcting my background check guarantee that I get the job?

No. Correcting inaccurate information does not guarantee an employment offer or reversal of a hiring decision. Employers remain responsible for their employment decisions and applicable legal requirements.

Can I submit a dispute without supporting documents?

Yes. Supporting documentation may help an investigation, but consumers generally may initiate a dispute without providing documentary proof of the error.

What if my dispute is not resolved to my satisfaction?

You may have the right to request additional information about the reinvestigation, submit a statement of dispute, file a complaint with the CFPB, or pursue other remedies available under applicable law.

Can I request a copy of my background check report?

Yes. Under the FCRA, consumers have rights to request information contained in their consumer reporting files, subject to applicable identity verification and disclosure requirements.

Can I dispute information directly with Fidelity Background Checks?

If Fidelity Background Checks is the consumer reporting agency responsible for preparing or maintaining the disputed information, you may submit a dispute through its designated consumer dispute process.

Additional Consumer Resources

Understanding your rights is an important part of the background screening process.

For additional information, visit these official resources:

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
https://www.ftc.gov/

FCRA Summary of Consumer Rights
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore/

Submit a CFPB Complaint
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/

Need to Dispute Information on Your Background Check?

Take the First Step Toward Correcting Inaccurate Information

If you believe a background check prepared by Fidelity Background Checks contains inaccurate or incomplete information, contact our designated consumer dispute channel to learn how to submit your dispute.

We recognize the importance of accurate consumer reporting and the rights of individuals to challenge information they believe is incorrect.

Fidelity Background Checks
Website: https://fidelitybackgroundchecks.com/

Accurate Information Matters. Your Consumer Rights Matter.