My background check shows charges I have nothing to do with. How can I get them deleted?

Question

I just got my background check back and it lists criminal charges that aren’t mine. I’ve never been arrested, I’ve never been to that court, and I don’t even recognize the case details. But now my job offer is on hold because someone else’s record is showing up under my name. I need those charges deleted and I need it fixed fast.

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

You’re dealing with a misattributed criminal record, one of the most damaging types of background check errors. When a background check lists charges that aren’t yours, that’s a mistaken-identity error, and the screening company has duties under the FCRA to reinvestigate and correct or delete inaccurate information. Under the FCRA, you have the right to:

Request the full report from the screening company.
Dispute the charges in writing, explaining that the records belong to someone else.
Provide documents (ID, SSN, address history) that help distinguish you.
Receive a corrected report after a proper reinvestigation.
Send us the report and your dispute confirmation. We can escalate quickly, demand the source record and match basis, and push for a corrected report to be sent to the employer.

If the incorrect report already harmed you, for example, if you were denied a job, you may also be entitled to damages. Reporting criminal records for the wrong person is a violation of the FCRA’s “maximum possible accuracy” standard.