HireRight Dispute: How To Fix Background Check Errors and Protect Your Career

HireRight screens millions of applicants for jobs, licenses, and housing. But even large background check companies make mistakes — and when they do, those errors can ruin careers. People discover a HireRight failed background check not because they did something wrong, but because the data in the report is inaccurate or incomplete.

A person dressed in business attire holding books and a leather bag, standing outdoors on a pathway with autumn trees in the background.

Why HireRight Background Check Errors Happen

Most errors come from one simple issue: bad data. But there are several ways this happens:

Mixed or merged files: HireRight may confuse your file with someone else’s due to a similar name, birthdate, or partial SSN.

Icon of an identification card with a person's image, name, and details.

Outdated criminal records: Even if your charge was dismissed or expunged, it can still appear if court databases weren’t updated.

A blue and white illustration of a microwave oven with an open door and an hourglass icon next to it.

Incorrect employment or education history: Employers or schools may report wrong dates or job titles, and HireRight fails to verify them properly.

Outline of a document with a downward arrow, a rising graph line, and a triangular warning sign with an exclamation mark.

Clerical or matching mistakes: A mistyped number or date can connect you to records that aren’t yours.

Illustration of a stylized blue airplane, focusing on the front and side view.

Consequences of a HireRight Failed Background Check

An inaccurate report can lead to more than just embarrassment. It can cause serious damage to your livelihood:

Job loss or rescinded offers: Employers often withdraw offers immediately after a failed background check.

Red triangular warning sign with a white exclamation mark in the center, black background.

Career delays: Waiting weeks for HireRight to “reinvestigate” can cost you income and professional momentum.

Blue circle icon with a white box and a large X over it, indicating deletion or removal.

Reputation damage: Employers may label you “high risk,” even after you prove the report was wrong.

A blue outline icon of a rejected identification card or profile document with a photo, lines of text, and a large X mark.

Emotional distress and financial strain: The process of clearing your name can take months, affecting mental health and income stability.

Icon of a person wearing a collared shirt, represented by a simple blue silhouette inside a circle with a thick gray border.

How To File a HireRight Dispute

If you find incorrect information in your background report, act quickly. Here’s what to do:

1. Request your report.
You’re legally entitled to one free copy. Visit HireRight’s website or contact their consumer center to request it.

2. Identify the errors.
Mark every incorrect item — wrong criminal record, outdated charge, false employment dates, or mismatched identity data.

3. Gather evidence.
Collect documents like court records, proof of expungement, employment verification, or identification showing the error isn’t yours.

4. Submit your HireRight dispute.
Send a written dispute via certified mail or through their online portal. Clearly explain what’s wrong, include copies of your evidence, and keep proof of delivery.

5. Wait for reinvestigation.
HireRight has up to 30 days to investigate and correct or delete the disputed items. They must notify you of the results in writing.

6. Review the updated report.
Confirm that the errors are removed or corrected. If the issue remains unresolved, consider escalating to legal action.

When a HireRight Dispute Isn’t Enough

Sometimes, even after you follow the process, HireRight refuses to fix the problem or performs a superficial investigation. In that case, you may need to take it further.

You can sue HireRight under the FCRA if:

  • They reported inaccurate or outdated information.

  • They failed to investigate your dispute properly.

  • They continued to report false data after being notified of the error.

  • You suffered financial or emotional harm because of their negligence.

Compensation in a HireRight lawsuit can include:

  • Lost wages or income opportunities.

  • Emotional distress and reputational harm.

  • Statutory damages up to $1,000 per violation.

  • Coverage of attorney’s fees and legal costs.

Many consumers have successfully filed HireRight lawsuits after failed background checks that cost them jobs. Courts have repeatedly held reporting agencies accountable for failing to maintain accuracy or verify disputed records.

Preventing Future HireRight Disputes

You can reduce the risk of future issues by staying proactive:

  • Keep copies of court documents and expungement orders.

  • Verify your employment and education history for accuracy.

  • Check your background reports regularly.

  • Request updates from state or county databases if your record was sealed or cleared.

  • Document every communication with HireRight during your dispute.

Being organized makes it easier to resolve or prove a HireRight dispute quickly if something goes wrong again.

Contact Us

Have you been a victim of an inaccurate background check, or have other questions? Contact us!

A gavel, a set of scales, a pen, and legal documents on a desk, with a dark background.