Background Check Shows False Sex Offender Registration
A false sex offender registration on your background check is one of the most damaging mistakes a screening company can make. This type of error can destroy job opportunities, housing applications, and personal reputation — and it must be corrected immediately. Under federal law, reporting an incorrect sex offender record is a major violation of your rights.
How Can a Background Check Show a False Sex Offender Registration?
These errors usually result from:
Identity mix-ups with someone who has a similar name
Incorrect date of birth matching
Merged or duplicated profiles in third-party databases
Outdated sex offender registry information
Court system miscoding or clerical mistakes
Incomplete identifiers (missing SSN, middle name, etc.)
Sex offender registries update constantly, and any mismatch — even one digit — can attach someone else’s profile to your name.
Is Reporting a False Sex Offender Status Illegal?
Yes. This is one of the clearest Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) violations.
Background check companies must ensure the information they report is:
accurate
matched to the correct individual
complete
current
not misleading
Reporting a false sex offender registration is considered severely inaccurate, and often results in strong legal claims for damages.
What Should You Do If Your Background Check Shows a False Sex Offender Registration?
Act immediately:
1. Get a copy of the full background check. You need the exact document the employer or agency saw.
2. Obtain verification from the registry. Most states provide an official document confirming you are not on the registry.
3. Collect identity documents. Driver’s license, SSN card, birth certificate — anything that proves who you are.
4. File a written dispute with the background check company. Explain the error and attach proof.
5. Notify the employer or agency. Tell them the report contains false and harmful information.
6. Speak with an attorney immediately. False sex offender reporting can lead to high-value FCRA cases because of the level of harm involved.
How We Can Help
If your background check falsely reported a sex offender registration, we act quickly to demand correction and pursue compensation for the serious harm caused. These cases often qualify for significant FCRA damages.