Background checks are commonly used for employment, housing, and licensing decisions. Under federal law, companies that prepare and furnish background reports, such as Checkr, HireRight, First Advantage, and other third-party screening companies, must ensure the information they provide is accurate, complete, and properly verified. When a background check contains incorrect information and that error costs you a job, housing, or another opportunity, you may have legal rights.

Marcus & Zelman helps individuals evaluate whether inaccuracies in a background report rise to the level of a legal claim under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Not all background check issues qualify. Our role is not to “fix” records, but to hold reporting agencies accountable when they fail to follow the law.

• Your background check contained information that is incorrect, outdated, or does not belong to you

• The error appeared on a report used for employment, housing, or another eligibility decision

• You were denied a job, housing, or opportunity, or suffered another measurable harm

• The background check company failed to properly verify or correct the information

• You disputed the error and it was “verified” or left unresolved, or the error was never properly investigated

• The background check accurately reflects your real criminal history

• You are looking to remove or expunge valid records

• You are disputing a valid court decision or legal outcome (even if you disagree with it)

• You are seeking general background cleanup or reputation management

• No incorrect information appeared on the report

• There was no actual harm (no denial, delay, or consequence)

Marcus & Zelman does not handle criminal defense, challenges to valid court outcomes, expungements, or background “repair” services.

• Records belonging to someone with a similar name or date of birth

• Expunged or sealed records still appearing on a report

• Charges reported as convictions

• Incorrect case dispositions or outdated status

• Duplicate or mixed files

• Inaccurate reporting of arrests that never resulted in conviction

• Reporting information that should no longer be legally reportable

Under the FCRA, background check companies must:

• Follow reasonable procedures to ensure accuracy

• Properly investigate disputes

• Correct or remove information that cannot be verified

• Avoid reporting certain outdated or legally restricted information

When they fail to meet these obligations and you suffer harm as a result, the law may allow you to seek damages and legal relief.

• We review your background check issue to determine if it qualifies under federal law

• If the issue appears actionable, we guide you on next steps

• There is no obligation to move forward unless a valid claim exists

Not every background check issue qualifies. Our review focuses on legal viability, not volume.