Sterling mixed me with someone else’s charges. How do I dispute a mixed file background report?

Question

I’m honestly in shock. I’ve been through plenty of screenings before and never had an issue, so I didn’t think twice when my employer said, “Just complete the background check.” Then Sterling sends the results and suddenly I’m being treated like I lied on my application.

The report shows criminal charges I’ve never heard of. Still, Sterling tied it to my report like it belongs to me. I already disputed it once through Sterling’s portal. I uploaded my ID and explained the mismatch. They came back with the same answer: “verified.” No explanation or proof. Just “verified.”

Now my start date is “on pause” and HR is acting like their hands are tied. I don’t have weeks to go in circles. Rent is due and this job is slipping away because of someone else’s record. Can I submit in a second dispute when they already “verified” it? What more can I do to prove that I am not the person in my file and how do I get Sterling to actually fix the record asap?

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

A “verified” response doesn’t mean the record is yours, it often just means Sterling didn’t do a meaningful match check. Yes, you can dispute again, especially if the record is clearly misattributed.

Do this now:

Save the report, your first dispute submission, and Sterling’s “verified” response.
Gather proof of identity plus mismatch proof: photo ID, current address, and anything showing you’re not the person tied to the case (different middle name/DOB/age, and any court disposition you can obtain).
Send us the report pages showing the charge and the “verified” response. We can escalate quickly, demand the source record and matching basis, and push for a corrected report to be sent to the employer.

If your start date is delayed or the offer is pulled because Sterling kept reporting someone else’s record after you disputed it, you may have a strong FCRA claim for damages.