How Much Compensation Can You Get From a Checkr Lawsuit?

Question

I got a job offer last month. Then Checkr's background report came back showing a felony conviction. I've never had a felony. The charge was a misdemeanor, and it was dismissed years ago. The company pulled the offer. I'm panicking. I don't know how this happened. Can a background check company just show the wrong severity on a charge and get away with it? Do I have any options?

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

When a background check report misrepresents a misdemeanor as a felony, that is a serious inaccuracy, and it can directly implicate the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Consumer reporting agencies like Checkr are legally required to follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy. When a report elevates a charge's severity, such as showing a dismissed misdemeanor as a felony conviction, the resulting harm can be very real, including a rescinded job offer, lost income, and lasting reputational damage. Pursuing a checkr lawsuit may be an option worth exploring, and the FCRA provides for both actual damages and statutory damages, plus attorney's fees in certain cases, which means the financial recovery available to you can vary considerably depending on the specific facts.

Obtain a full copy of the background check report Checkr prepared and identify every inaccuracy in the record.
Gather any official court documents confirming the charge's actual classification as a misdemeanor and its dismissed status.
Document the job offer rescission in writing, including any emails or letters from the employer referencing the background report.
Note exact dates, including when you first saw the report, when the offer was withdrawn, and when you disputed or plan to dispute the error.
Request your dispute correspondence records if you have already submitted a dispute to Checkr or the employer.
Keep records of any financial losses tied to the inaccuracy, such as lost wages, travel costs, or fees incurred while resolving the error.

Consumer Attorneys offers free case reviews for situations like this one. If a background check report contained wrong information that cost you an opportunity, preserving your documents now is critical, because timelines and deadlines under the FCRA matter. The attorneys at Consumer Attorneys handle checkr lawsuit claims and can review the specifics of your report error to help you understand what options may be available to you.