Criminal Background Errors
Errors in a criminal background report can keep you from a job, housing or a professional license. We dispute them and enforce the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Contingency fee arrangements are available for most cases.
- Admitted in New York, 2004
- S.D.N.Y. and E.D.N.Y.
- Representing consumers since 1999
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Where do criminal background report errors come from?
Errors in a criminal background report have three common sources. A reporting agency combines the information of two people, a court record or other source has incorrect or outdated information, or someone used your information to commit crimes. The FCRA requires reporting agencies to assure the maximum possible accuracy of what they compile.
- Mixed or merged filesA reporting agency combines the information of two individuals.
- Data source errorsCourt records or other sources have incorrect or outdated information.
- Identity theftSomeone used your information to commit crimes.
Maximum possible accuracy
The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires reporting agencies to assure the maximum possible accuracy of the information they compile.
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Contingency fee arrangements are available for most cases.
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Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What can you do when a background check gets it wrong?
You have the right to dispute inaccuracies in your criminal background report. If the information is not corrected after a dispute, you can take legal action to obtain a corrected report and seek compensation for damages, including financial harm and emotional suffering, and punitive damages in cases of intentional wrongdoing.
Read how to check your report and what to do if the agency will not fix it
Check your report
Criminal background reports are compiled from court records, law enforcement agencies and correctional institutions. Check yours periodically: you can get it from the agencies that provide background check services.
If you find any inaccuracies, you have the right to dispute them.
If the agency will not fix it
If the information is not corrected after a dispute, you can take legal action to obtain a corrected report and seek compensation for damages, including financial harm and emotional suffering.
The law also provides for punitive damages in cases of intentional wrongdoing.
Contingency fees for most cases
Contingency fee arrangements are available for most cases.
Delaying may cause you to forfeit your rights due to the FCRA’s statute of limitations.
Contingency fee arrangements are available for most cases.
Start with a free consultation.
Contingency fee arrangements are available for most cases.
What can a criminal background error cost you?
Inaccurate information in a criminal background report can keep you from getting a job, from securing housing or from a professional license. Errors in these reports are common, but many people are not aware that they have the right to have inaccurate information corrected.
- EmploymentInaccurate information can keep you from getting a job.
- HousingInaccurate information can keep you from securing housing.
- Professional licensesInaccurate information can keep you from a professional license.
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Tell us what happened.
An experienced attorney will review the details and outline your options. The first consultation is free.
- You send the form or call 646-713-1008. A few sentences about what happened is enough to start.
- We contact you to set up a free consultation.
- In the consultation, we listen to what happened and outline your legal options.
Contingency fee arrangements are available for most cases.