There’s a Discrepancy on My Background Check - It Shows Wrong Charge Dates. Do I Have a Case?
Wrong charge dates can be more than a harmless typo. If the incorrect dates make your record look worse than it is, like making an old charge look recent, changing whether it falls within a “last 7 years” window, or affecting an employer/landlord decisionб, then yes, it can support a case under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Background check companies are required to report information accurately and in a way that isn’t misleading, and dates are a big part of how reports are interpreted.
When wrong charge dates can become a strong legal issue
This is most serious when the wrong dates change the story. For example, a date error might make it seem like the charge happened after you were already cleared, make a dismissed case appear “new,” or shift a record into a timeframe that triggers automatic denial rules. Date discrepancies can also be a red flag that the record belongs to someone else, especially if other details don’t match you.
What to do next
Start by pulling official court records (a docket sheet or case summary) that show the correct charge and disposition dates. Then submit a written dispute to the background check company with those documents attached, and request a corrected report. If the incorrect dates already caused you to lose a job, fail onboarding, get denied housing, or lose income, save proof of that impact too - because harm is what usually turns a dispute into a compensation claim.
How We Can Help
If incorrect charge dates on your background check cost you a job or housing opportunity, we can help you dispute the background check error with court documentation and evaluate whether you have an FCRA claim for compensation if the reporting company failed to correct a clear mistake.