My Background Check Shows a Charge That Belongs to My Father
If your background check shows a criminal charge that actually belongs to your father, you’re likely dealing with a mixed file — one of the most serious and harmful background check mistakes. This happens when a screening company combines the records of two people with similar identifying information, often family members. Mixed-file errors are major violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
How Can My Father’s Charge End Up on My Background Check?
Background check companies sometimes match people using partial or incomplete data, which makes family members especially vulnerable. The most common reasons include:
Shared last names
Similar first names (Jr., Sr., II, III)
Matching or similar addresses in the past
Close or identical dates of birth
Incorrect or incomplete Social Security matching
Data brokers merging two profiles together
Clerical errors in court databases
Even one incorrect match can attach your father’s case to your report.
Is It Legal for a Background Check Company to Include My Father’s Record?
No. Under the FCRA, a background check company must ensure the report belongs to the correct individual. Reporting someone else’s criminal record — especially a parent’s — is a direct violation of your consumer rights.
This kind of error can lead to:
job loss
blocked housing applications
delays in onboarding
reputational harm
And you may be entitled to compensation.
What to Do If Your Background Check Includes Your Father’s Charge
Follow these steps to correct the mistake:
1. Get a copy of your background check. You have the right to receive a free copy if you were denied employment or housing.
2. Compare the incorrect charge with your father’s record. This helps confirm the mix-up originated from shared identifiers.
3. Gather your identity documents. Use your:
driver’s license
birth certificate
Social Security card
This proves you are not the person connected to the charge.
4. File a dispute with the background check company. Explain that the report includes another individual’s information and attach proof.
5. Inform the employer or landlord. Let them know the report is incorrect and currently under dispute.
6. Speak with an FCRA attorney. Mixed-file cases involving family members are often strong legal cases that lead to compensation.
How We Can Help
If your background check included your father’s criminal charge, we can challenge the error, correct your report, and pursue compensation for the harm this mistake caused. Mixed-file cases are among the strongest FCRA violations.