Checkr built its name on speed. Most criminal checks come back in under an hour, which is exactly why gig platforms like Uber lean on it so heavily — high volume, fast turnaround. But that speed comes from automated matching, not a person double-checking your file, and that’s often where things go wrong. If a Checkr report attached someone else’s record to your name, or missed that a case was already cleared, you’re not the one who made the mistake — but you’re the one who loses the job or the account over it.
If a Checkr error cost you a job, a gig platform account, or a promotion, you may have legal options under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Here’s what to look for, what to do, and how we can help.
Lost a job or a gig account over a Checkr mistake? Reach out for a free consultation — the sooner you talk to us, the more options you’ll have.
A few mistakes show up again and again in Checkr reports:
These aren’t just small glitches — the FTC has said that background check companies aren’t following the law when their reports include someone else’s criminal record or list cases that were legally cleared. Any one of these mistakes can cost you a job, an account, or income you were counting on — even when none of it is your fault. If this sounds like what happened to you, here’s what to do next.
If you think your Checkr report has a mistake, here’s what to do — and you don’t have to do it alone.
If a Checkr mistake already cost you a job or income, reach out for a free consultation now — the sooner we know about it, the more we can do to help.
A Checkr dispute doesn’t automatically mean waiting a month to find out where you stand. Depending on what happened, you may be able to skip straight to legal action instead. Here’s how we help you figure that out — and what happens either way:
We’ve seen the same kinds of automated-matching mistakes happen at other screening companies too — including First Advantage and Sterling — so if more than one report is affected, we can help with that too. See our full list of background check companies we regularly deal with.
Checkr runs more than 45 million background checks a year for over 10,000 businesses, and it’s become the go-to choice for gig and delivery platforms in particular. Uber and Lyft both use it. So does Instacart, and DoorDash. It’s not just gig work, either — Netflix, Home Depot, and staffing giant Adecco all rely on Checkr too. Speed is the whole pitch: most criminal checks come back in under an hour.
To move that fast, Checkr relies heavily on automated systems that match records to the right person. That system usually works. But for people with common names, it doesn’t always get it right — and in our experience, the sheer number of people applying through platforms like Uber may be part of why Checkr mistakes come up as often as they do. That’s not an excuse for attaching someone else’s arrest or conviction to your name — it’s just part of understanding how it happens.
If a Checkr mistake caused you real harm — a lost job, a rescinded offer, a deactivated gig account — the law allows you to seek compensation for those losses. Depending on your situation, that may include money for the income or opportunity you lost, and sometimes more if Checkr was especially careless. In some cases, your attorney’s fees may also be covered. What you’re owed depends on the details of your case, which is something we can walk you through directly.
A Checkr mistake shouldn’t cost you a job you already earned. At Sherman & Ticchio, we help people across New York and New Jersey fix inaccurate background checks and take legal action when a screening company won’t fix a real mistake.
Reach out for a free consultation, and let us help protect your job and your record. Don’t let a Checkr mistake hold you back — contact Sherman & Ticchio now.
When Can You Take Legal Action Against Checkr?
You can often times take legal action if you already lost a job or a gig platform account because of the error, or if Checkr’s automated system clearly didn’t take reasonable steps to get your information right. In some cases, you don’t have to file a dispute first at all. Every situation is different, so the fastest way to know where you stand is to talk it through with us directly.
How Reliable Is Checkr’s Screening Process?
Checkr’s screening process is fast and widely used, but reliable isn’t quite the same as accurate. Its fast, automated process is part of why mistakes happen, especially for people with common names. If something on your report looks wrong, it’s worth a closer look.
What’s the Timeline for Resolving a Checkr Dispute?
By law, Checkr has 30 days to investigate a dispute once you file it. If they don’t fix a real mistake in that time, or you’ve already lost a job or income because of it, you don’t have to just keep waiting — you have other options.