The Popularity of Airbnb weighed against Inflection Background Checks

Airbnb is a popular vacation rental marketplace that lets guests and hosts book accommodations in different cities. As you might expect, many companies offer similar services, but Airbnb has become the largest and most popular of them all.

Airbnb does run background checks, but not on everyone. According to the Airbnb Help Center, criminal background checks apply mainly to users based in the United States and to hosts based in India, and certain service providers in Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom may also be screened.

Airbnb sends limited identifying information to an approved third-party vendor, which checks public records such as court records and sex offender registries for criminal convictions or ongoing criminal proceedings. Inflection Risk Solutions is one of the screening companies that has provided these reports for Airbnb. The results are not shared with other users: hosts and guests do not see each other’s background check reports.

Why should you care?

Imagine saving up thousands of dollars to take a vacation to Europe. You have spent six months ironing out all the details, including securing your new vacation rental in Greece, Italy, and France.

Two weeks before you go, you receive an email from Airbnb letting you know you will no longer have those reservations. You’ll receive a full refund, but you find your Airbnb account deactivated because an Inflection background check reported a criminal record.

Your options are to dispute the report with Inflection, appeal the decision with Airbnb, or both. Fixing the report itself is what changes the outcome, because Airbnb acts on what the screening company reports.

Airbnb Checks on Guests and Hosts

Airbnb uses background checks to decide whether some users can keep booking or hosting. When a check is run, Airbnb reviews the report from its screening vendor and may restrict, suspend, or remove the account based on what it shows.

However, the problem happens when an error is made in the criminal record check. For example, say you have the same name and birth date as someone with an extensive criminal record from your state. Airbnb may disqualify you from renting because they think you are the other person based on your Inflection screening report.

That is much worse if you have been a loyal host for years, invested thousands of dollars in your rental property, and suddenly lose that ability because of a false background check or unreported error.

What Is an Inflection Background Check?

An Inflection background check is a consumer report prepared by Inflection Risk Solutions, a consumer reporting agency. Because it is a consumer reporting agency, Inflection must follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act, including the duty to investigate disputes.

Inflection Background Checks is an online background check company that offers a variety of services to help employers confirm the qualifications of their potential employees, including criminal record checks, driving record checks, education verification, sex offender registry searches for individuals who are registered sex offenders - even employment verification for those who have worked at specific companies before applying for jobs with other companies.

Can there be an Error on My Background Check?

Yes. Errors in background checks are common, and the National Consumer Law Center has documented recurring accuracy problems in commercial criminal background checks. Common errors that can affect Airbnb users include:

• Mixed files: another person’s record is attached to you because of a similar name or date of birth.
• Wrong case details: the report shows the wrong charge, date, or court.
• Misclassified offenses: a misdemeanor is reported as a felony, or a nonviolent offense as violent.
• Outdated or sealed records: dismissed, expunged, or sealed cases still appear.
• Missing outcomes: an arrest or charge appears without the dismissal or acquittal.

How Do I Fix These Errors?

There are many ways to handle errors. First and foremost, you'll want to contact Inflection. They'll be able to help you with your problem and assist you in getting a new background check processed.

You should also contact Airbnb. They might have a way of fixing your situation that doesn't involve Inflection - or they may give you some advice on what else you can do next.

Once you file a dispute, Inflection generally has 30 days to investigate and correct or delete information it cannot verify. That may not be the best thing when you have an upcoming vacation, but it can help avoid the situation in the future.

Inflection Risk Solutions Lawsuit

Inflection has already faced a class action over these errors. In Taylor v. Inflection Risk Solutions, LLC (D. Minn., No. 0:20-cv-02266), the plaintiff alleged that Inflection reported a conviction that Minnesota law treats as a misdemeanor as a felony, and labeled the offense as violent.

The case covered two groups: Minnesota consumers whose deemed misdemeanors were reported as felonies, and consumers nationwide whose nonviolent offenses were reported as violent. In 2022, Inflection agreed to a $4 million settlement on behalf of nearly 40,000 people.

Though this particular lawsuit is closed to additional class members, Inflection can still be held accountable for its erroneous reporting. See below for information about whether you can sue Inflection or Airbnb.

Can I Sue Inflection or Airbnb?

Yes, in some cases. If the company provided you with false information and caused harm to your reputation or other losses, such as financial loss, then it could be possible for an individual to file a lawsuit against them.

Inflection is a consumer reporting agency required by law to follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act. They must provide you with verifiable information that you can double-check to ensure your reputation and ability to secure everything from a vacation property to a home loan is secure. Any time these agencies do not comply with the FCRA, they run the risk of being exposed to lawsuits for damages.

That is where we can help. Our attorneys handle background check errors and can help you get your information corrected and seek financial and other damages from companies that harm your reputation.

It does not matter what company harms your ability to use your background correctly. We can help you find a workable solution so that you do not suffer setbacks due to an error far outside your control. Let’s schedule a time to meet and discuss your case.