Do I Need a Lawyer to Dispute a Background Check Mistake?
No. You usually don’t need a background check lawyer just to file the dispute. Most background check companies (Checkr, HireRight, Sterling, First Advantage, etc.) have a dispute process you can start yourself, and many errors get corrected once you submit the right documents.
That said, there are situations where getting a lawyer involved is a smart move — especially if the mistake has already cost you a job or the company refuses to fix it.
When you can dispute it yourself (and it often works)
If the error is straightforward and you have clear paperwork, many people successfully dispute without an attorney. Examples include: a case status is wrong (shown as pending when closed), a dismissal isn’t listed, the dates are wrong, your employment dates are incorrect, or your driving record is outdated. In these situations, the biggest advantage is speed — you can submit proof immediately.
When a lawyer is strongly recommended
Legal help becomes important when the consequences are serious or the dispute process goes nowhere. You should consider a lawyer if the background check company reported someone else’s record as yours, included sealed/expunged information, mislabeled a conviction, ignored your proof, “verified” incorrect information anyway, or the mistake caused a job denial, rescinded offer, deactivation, or major income loss. Those are the cases where you may be entitled to compensation under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Why lawyers matter in these cases
An attorney doesn’t just “send a dispute.” They preserve evidence, force proper reinvestigation, and pursue damages if the company violated the law. Many FCRA attorneys take cases with no upfront cost, because the law allows consumers to recover attorney’s fees when the reporting company is at fault.
How we can help
If your dispute is being ignored or the mistake already cost you a job or income, we can step in, challenge the report properly, and pursue compensation under the FCRA.