False background checks from possible identity theft or misidentification as described by CNN (video here) is a national problem that occurs nearly one out of five times a report is contested, according to research by MyBackgroundCheck.com, a national consumer background check company that has screened over a million consumers for criminal activity.
In a report first aired September 29 (video here), CNN reporter Gerri Willis interviewed a woman who described how her husband's dream job turned into a nightmare because of false information found on his pre-employment background check.
"Unfortunately, the case described in the CNN report is not unusual, and a recent study shows nearly one in five disputed background checks contain false information attributed to identity theft or misidentification" stated Robert Mather, CEO of MyBackgroundCheck.com. "Over one million consumers have purchased background checks through us, many to help in the job seeking process."
The research by MyBackgroundCheck.com focused on consumers that purchased their own background check – or had a background check procured through a prospective employer – and contested the results of the report. The study of disputed background checks revealed that the reasons for the disputes were:
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Criminal Identity Theft or not their record -- 21%
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Some Criminal records dismissed, others reported correctly (partial dispute/correction) -- 16%
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Untruthful applicant; Criminal record was reported correctly -- 16%
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Charges were reduced/dismissed or expunged and should not be reported -- 14%
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Court error (wrong criminal record was retrieved from files) -- 12%
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Record not allowed to be reported by law for employment purposes -- 11%
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Other -- 9%
A multitude of State and Federal laws protect job applicants from error and mandate potential employers – as well as the agency that investigated the background check and sold the report – to correct the mistakes at no cost to applicants.
A list of these laws and the potential penalties to employers or background check agencies violating them can be obtained for free by emailing info@mybackgroundcheck.com and requesting the publication "Laws Protecting the Rights of Consumers during the Background Check Process."
MyBackgroundCheck.com offers consumer requested "personal" background checks for consumers to use to keep their public and private information current, secure, and accurate. For more information, visit www.mybackgroundcheck.com, email info@mybackgroundcheck.com, or call 1-800-503-2364. Follow MyBackgroundCheck.com on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MyBackgroundChk.
Related Article: Can’t Get a Job? The Five Most Common Mistakes in Background Checks May Be Stopping You
tahearn@mybackgroundcheck.com