How far back does USPS background check go and could old errors still affect me?

Question

I'm trying to understand exactly how far back the USPS background check goes because I want to know if something from years ago could come up. I moved around a lot when I was younger and lived in several different states. I'm worried that there could be records from those places that aren't even mine - maybe someone with a similar name or a mix-up with addresses. I know USPS does a thorough check, but I don't know if they go back five years, seven years, ten years, or even further. And if they do go back that far, what happens if there's a mistake from a long time ago that I never knew about? Could an old error that has nothing to do with me still cause me to lose the job offer? I need to know what timeframe they're looking at and what I should be prepared for if something incorrect shows up from the past.

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

USPS background checks often emphasize the last 7–10 years for many record types. Under the FCRA, convictions may be reported indefinitely unless they’ve been sealed or expunged, while non-conviction information (like arrests and dismissed cases) is generally subject to a 7-year reporting limit. But if USPS uses an FBI/NCIC fingerprint-based check (not a commercial consumer report), sealed/expunged records may still surface, because those systems don’t follow the same suppression rules.

The real concern isn't just how far back they look - it's whether the information they find is actually yours. Background check errors can occur at any point in your history, and older records are particularly vulnerable to misattribution because:

Records may have been entered with incomplete or inaccurate identifiers
People with similar names in the same area can be confused
Address histories from years ago may be incorrectly linked

What to do if old errors appear on your USPS background check:

Obtain a copy of the background report
If USPS notifies you of an issue, you're entitled to a free copy of the report. Request it immediately from the screening company listed in the notice.
Verify every piece of information
Don't just look at criminal records - check addresses, past employers, and any other personal information. If you see an address you never lived at or a court case from a county you've never been to, that's a red flag for a mixed file error.
Dispute incorrect information promptly
Send a written dispute to the background check company explaining exactly what's wrong. Include supporting documents: your ID, proof of your actual address history (old leases, utility bills), and anything that shows the record doesn't match your personal information (different date of birth, middle name, etc.).
Contact us if the dispute is denied
If the screening company responds that the information is "verified" despite clear evidence it's not yours, or if they simply fail to correct the error, you may need legal intervention. We can escalate the dispute, demand the source records and matching methodology, and push for a corrected report to be sent to USPS quickly.

The FCRA requires background check companies to use reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy - not just in current records, but in all records they report, regardless of how old they are. If a company reports another person's ten-year-old criminal case under your name simply because the names are similar, that's a violation of the law.

Time limits don't make errors acceptable. Whether the mistake is from last year or a decade ago, you have the right to an accurate report. If an old error has cost you a USPS job opportunity, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and other damages.

Don't assume an old mistake will just go away or that it's too late to fix it. If you're concerned about what might appear on your USPS background check - or if you've already been denied due to information that isn't yours - reach out to us for a free case evaluation.