Spark Driver Account Deactivated Because of an Error on Background Check
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Spark Driver Account Deactivated Because of an Error on Background Check
Wrong Background Check Cost You Your Spark Account? Here's What You Can Do
Along with false complaints from customers and system errors, Spark Driver’s accounts often get unfairly deactivated because of the wrong information on the driver’s criminal and motor vehicle background check. Read on to learn how Consumer Attorneys will help reactivate your account, dispute background check errors, and sue the background check company when needed.
- What is Spark Background Check?
- Most Common Errors on Spark Background Check
- Background check shows criminal records that belong to another person;
- The information on the background report is outdated;
- Valid driver’s license is being reported as suspended;
- Background check wasn’t processed due to failed SSN Trace.
- How to address your Spark background check issue;
- Reactivating your account after a wrong background check;
What is Spark Background Check?
The background reports for Spark are usually provided by a third-party reporting agency called Checkr. A Spark Driver’s background check typically would include the driver’s criminal history, driving record, and SSN verification.
Such background checks are required to maintain the safety requirements. Felony records, misdemeanors, and traffic violations may disqualify you from driving. Spark also keeps track of the driver's criminal history, which is why the background checks at Spark are done at least twice a year to verify that there are no recent criminal or traffic cases filed against the driver.
According to the FCRA law that regulates reporting agencies such as Checkr, the driver’s background report should be accurate, complete, and up-to-date, which means that it should reflect all the relevant information about the driver's criminal records and traffic violations if such exist. Reporting outdated or inaccurate information is a violation of the Consumer’s Rights.
Under Federal Law, all and any convictions are reportable and can appear on the background checks. Dismissed criminal cases should disappear from the background report after 7 years from the date when it was filed.
Most Common Errors on Spark Background Check
- Background check shows criminal records that belong to another person.
While running background checks for Spark drivers, Checkr does not verify the information with the Court’s Clerks or the Department of Motor Vehicles instead, Checkr purchases the information from multiple commercial data vendors and puts it on the driver’s report. This allows Checkr to process Spark Driver’s background checks quickly, sometimes within hours!
However, the information purchased from commercial databases is extremely unreliable and can be matched incorrectly. Checkr associates the criminal and driving records using only a part of the driver’s personal information, so the driver’s background report may show a criminal record that belongs to another person who simply has the same name, this is the most common error that a Spark driver may face during the background check.
- The information on the background report is outdated.
Along with incorrectly matching the criminal records, Spark Driver’s background check may also show outdated information about the criminal cases that belong to the driver. The reason for such errors is the same – Checkr's database is unreliable and is not being updated timely.
Here at Consumer Attorneys, we often help drivers whose criminal cases were resolved and closed, but Checkr keeps reporting them as “pending” or even with open warrants.
- Valid driver’s license is being reported as suspended.
Checkr may fail to report the status of the driver’s license correctly. The background check may show that the driver’s license is suspended even though it is active and valid. Often, such errors occur when the driver changes the state of residence and gets a license in the new state, but Checkr keeps reporting the previous license.
- Background check wasn’t processed due to failed SSN Trace
Sometimes, a Spark driver may fail the background check because Checkr is unable to validate the driver’s SSN. In this case, the driver needs to reach out to Spark first and make sure that Spark has the correct SSN and upload a document showing the full SSN if needed.
If Checkr is still unable to trace the SSN, then the drivers may require legal help from an FCRA attorney to seek a revision of their report.
How To Address Your Spark Background Check Issue
The first thing that a Spark Driver should do after being deactivated due to a background check is of course, review the background report itself, as we mentioned, most of the background checks for Spark are done by Checkr, the report would typically come in the email along with a deactivation notice.
If, for some reason, you did not receive your report, you can download it from Checkr’s website - Checkr - Candidate's Portal.
If you were a victim of an inaccurate background check, then the best solution for you would be to contact an FCRA attorney who deals with background check errors. Working with an attorney to correct your report is much more beneficial and effective than trying to resolve the issue on your own.
An FCRA lawsuit is a powerful tool when dealing with false background checks. Along with correcting your background report, Consumer Attorneys can also compensate you for the loss of income and emotional distress and all that will come with no out-of-pocket costs to the driver, the defendant will have to cover the attorney’s fees.
Submit your complaint about your Spark Background Check to us, and our paralegals will get in touch with you!
Reactivating Your Account After a Wrong Background Check
If a Spark driver gets deactivated due to an inaccurate background check, then one of the best options is a lawsuit. Consumer Attorney can represent you against Checkr or any other agency that reported false information about you. Even though our main goal is to ensure that your background reports are accurate in the future, we also will seek compensation from you for the loss of income and emotional distress that you suffered.
The background check agency that made a mistake on the driver’s background report is legally obligated to provide the corrected report to Spark, as soon as this happens, Spark will reinstate the account. Usually, the lawsuit process can take around 3-5 months, which is quite quick, and by the end of it, a Spark driver may get more than $10.000 in compensation, depending on the damages and inconvenience that they had to suffer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, no. Since Spark relies on third-party background check providers, Spark itself is not usually liable for the content of the report. The liable party is the reporting agency, usually Checkr, if they provided inaccurate or outdated information.
No, legal action against a background check agency like Checkr does not harm your relationship with Spark. In fact, once the report is corrected by law, Spark is obligated to consider reinstating your account.
Compensation varies but may include actual damages (lost income), emotional distress, and statutory damages (up to $1,000 per violation). Some drivers have received $10,000 or more, especially in cases of severe income loss or repeated violations.
A free consultation with an FCRA attorney can evaluate your specific situation. If your report contained wrong or outdated info that led to deactivation, you likely have a strong case. Consumer Attorneys can guide you through this and handle everything at no cost to you.
Yes. Even if Checkr corrects your report after a dispute, you may still be entitled to compensation for the harm you already suffered - such as time off work, emotional distress, or lost job opportunities. A correction doesn’t erase the damage that was done while the error was in place.
Noah Kane is an Associate Attorney at Consumer Attorneys. Noah has years of experience representing consumers against banks, financial institutions, and reporting agencies. Read more
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