Instacart Background Check Errors
Instacart screens every shopper before the first order, and the process is where a lot of applications stall. This guide covers what the check includes, how long it takes, what each status means, which records disqualify a shopper, and what to do when the report is simply wrong.
Instacart Background Check at a Glance
- Who runs it: Checkr, a third-party screening company, not Instacart itself.
- How long it takes: usually 5 to 10 business days, longer when records come from slow jurisdictions.
- What it covers: criminal history, driving record, identity verification, sex offender registry.
- Where disputes go: to Checkr, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, not to Instacart support.
What is Instacart?
Instacart is a grocery delivery platform that connects customers with personal shoppers who pick up and deliver orders. It launched in 2012 and is now one of the most common sources of flexible gig work in the US. Signing up is straightforward until the background check stage.
How Does Instacart Conduct Background Checks?
Instacart does not screen applicants in-house. It sends your information to Checkr, which pulls records from court databases, motor vehicle departments, and commercial data sources, then returns a report with a status attached.
The check typically includes:
- Criminal history. Felony and misdemeanor convictions.
- Driving records. Important for full-service shoppers who deliver by car.
- Identity verification. Confirmation that your name, date of birth, and Social Security number match.
- Sex offender registry. A search of the national registry.
Because the data comes from multiple sources and is matched automatically, the same process that catches real records also produces mismatches, and those mismatches land on your report.
How Long Does an Instacart Background Check Take?
Most checks come back in 5 to 10 business days. The timeline stretches when a county court responds slowly, when a record needs manual review, or when your identity cannot be verified on the first pass.
A long wait is not automatically bad news. But if your check has been pending for weeks with no explanation, request a copy of your report directly from Checkr. You are entitled to it, and it usually shows what the delay is about.
Instacart Background Check Status: What Each One Means
The status is the fastest way to tell where your application stands.
Pending
The report is still being assembled. No decision has been made and nothing is required from you yet.
Consider
Something on the report needs review. This is not a rejection. A "consider" status is common with old misdemeanors, traffic violations, or records that are hard to categorize, and it is also where reporting errors surface most often.
Suspended
The process is on hold. Usually the screening company is waiting for records from a court or motor vehicle department, or your identity did not verify because of a name or Social Security number mismatch. A suspended status that lasts for weeks is worth chasing rather than waiting out.
Clear
Nothing disqualifying was found and the application moves forward.
Dispute in progress
You have challenged something in the report. By law the screening company has to investigate, normally within 30 days, and correct anything it cannot verify.
Instacart Background Check Disqualifiers
The records most likely to end an application:
- Felony convictions. Especially violence, theft, and drug offenses.
- Certain misdemeanors. Theft, assault, and fraud carry the most weight.
- Driving offenses. DUIs, reckless driving, or a pattern of violations, particularly for full-service shoppers.
- Identity discrepancies. A mismatch between your documents and the data on file.
- Sex offender registry status. Disqualifying in effectively all cases.
There is no blanket ban on applicants with a record. How far back a conviction goes and what state you are in both matter, and plenty of shoppers are approved with something on their history. What is not acceptable is being rejected over a record that is outdated, dismissed, or not yours.
Can Errors Occur in an Instacart Background Check?
Yes, and they are more common than most applicants expect. The usual causes:
- Outdated information. Records pulled from databases that were never updated after a case was dismissed or sealed.
- Mistaken identity. A common name or a clerical error attaches someone else's history to your report.
- Incomplete records. A charge appears without the outcome, so a dismissal reads like a conviction.
- Reporting mistakes. Offenses miscategorized or entered under the wrong severity.
- Court record issues. Dispositions that the court itself never updated.
Screening companies are required by law to follow reasonable procedures to ensure accuracy. At the volume they operate, even a small error rate means a large number of applicants are wrongly disqualified or delayed.
What Errors Cost You
A wrong report can cost you the Instacart position, the income you planned around it, and often more than that, because the same inaccurate record follows you to the next employer who runs a check. If your account was deactivated after background check errors, see our guide on what to do when instacart deactivated my account.
How to Dispute an Error in Your Instacart Background Check
The dispute goes to the company that produced the report, not to Instacart. Instacart only acts on what it receives.
- Request a copy of your report. Under the FCRA it is free, and you need it in hand before anything else.
- Mark every inaccuracy. Wrong names, dates, dispositions, duplicated entries, records that belong to someone else.
- Submit a written dispute. Describe each error specifically and attach court documents or identity records that prove your point.
- Follow up in writing. Keep every response. The investigation has a legal deadline, and the paper trail matters if it is missed.
- Get legal help if it stalls. A background check lawsuit is an option when the company refuses to correct a verified error.
If You Cannot Get an Answer
Screening companies and platform support both go quiet on these disputes. Slow responses and generic replies are not the end of the process. An attorney can force the investigation to be handled properly and hold the company liable for what the error cost you.
Can You Sue Over an Instacart Background Check Error?
The claim is usually against the screening company rather than Instacart. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a company that reports inaccurate information about you, or fails to investigate your dispute properly, can be held liable.
You may also have a claim if you were rejected over a report and never received the required notice and a copy of it before the decision became final. That notice is not optional, and skipping it is a violation on its own.
Damages can cover lost income, harm to your reputation, emotional distress, and attorney fees.
Lawsuits Over Instacart Background Checks: Some of Our Cases
Case 1: A felony that never happened
Our client J.M. of Washington State was disqualified from shopping for Instacart after Checkr reported several felony convictions to the platform. She had never been convicted of a felony. After months of lost income and unanswered messages, she came to us. We sued Checkr for failing to review the underlying court documents it had already pulled, and after litigation and negotiation, the case settled on terms J.M. was satisfied with.
Case 2: A Social Security number that was never verified
We represented A.S. in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. Checkr told Instacart that A.S. did not have a valid Social Security card, which made her look dishonest and cost her the job. Checkr had relied on a commercial database instead of the actual Social Security records, which would have confirmed her number immediately. The case settled with a result A.S. was pleased with.
Contact Consumer Attorneys
You have the right to an accurate background report. If an error cost you work with Instacart, we can help you correct it and pursue the company responsible. Reach us at info@consumerattorneys.com, through the live chat on our site, or by phone at 1-877-615-1725.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Instacart background check might be on hold for several reasons. Often, this status indicates that the background check company, typically Sterling, needs more time to verify certain information. This could involve awaiting responses from courts or other institutions, clarifying discrepancies in your identity, or dealing with incomplete data. In some cases, a hold may be placed if there are potential issues in your background, such as a criminal record or driving offense, that require further review. If your background check remains on hold for an extended period, it’s wise to contact Instacart or seek advice from a background check lawyer to resolve any complications.
When Instacart says your background check has not cleared, it typically means there’s an issue that needs further investigation before you can be approved as a shopper. This could be due to criminal records, driving offenses, or other red flags found during the background screening process. It might also indicate that the background check company is still verifying certain details, such as court records or identity information. While “not cleared” doesn't necessarily mean a final rejection, it does suggest that your application is in jeopardy. At this stage, it’s essential to stay informed and consider seeking help from Consumer Attorneys if needed.
Instacart primarily uses Checkr, a leading third-party background check provider, to conduct background screenings on potential shoppers. Checkr is responsible for gathering and analyzing your criminal history, driving records, and other relevant information to determine your eligibility to work with Instacart. In some cases, Instacart might also use other background check companies, including a company called Sterling, depending on the region or specific requirements. While background check companies are required by law to use reasonable care to prepare accurate checks, errors still occur, and these mistakes can have serious consequences. If you believe there’s been an error in your background check, you may need to contact Sterling directly or seek legal assistance to correct the issue.
Yes, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) covers background checks. The FCRA is a federal law that regulates how background checks are conducted and used, ensuring that the information is accurate, fair, and private. Under the FCRA, you have the right to know if information in your background check has been used against you, to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information, and to obtain a copy of your background check report. Companies like Instacart, which use third-party services for background checks, must comply with the FCRA. If your rights under the FCRA have been violated, you can seek legal recourse, including filing a lawsuit.
Your Instacart background check might be taking longer than expected due to several factors. Delays can occur if the background check company, typically Checkr, is waiting on information from courts, government agencies, or other institutions. If you’ve lived in multiple states or have a common name, the process might require more extensive verification, leading to further delays. Another reason could be discrepancies or potential issues in your records that need additional review. If your background check is taking too long, it’s a good idea to follow up with Instacart or the background check provider. Consulting with a background check lawyer may also help speed up the process.
There is no blanket ban. How old the conviction is, what it was for, and your state all factor in.
Daniel Cohen is the Founder of Consumer Attorneys. Daniel manages the firm’s branding, marketing, client intake and business development efforts. Since 2017, he is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates and the National Consumer Law Center. Mr. Cohen is a nationally-recognized practitioner of consumer protection law. He has a we... Read more
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