Employers across the Inland Empire often run background checks before hiring, including for warehouse, delivery and driving jobs, and many landlords screen rental applicants. Riverside and San Bernardino counties are not covered by the City or County of Los Angeles fair chance ordinances. California's statewide rules apply instead, alongside the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.
The FCRA governs the background check and tenant screening companies themselves. They must use reasonable procedures for maximum possible accuracy and reinvestigate disputes, generally within 30 days. An employer must give a standalone written disclosure and get permission before ordering a report. Before rejecting someone based on the report, the employer must provide a copy and a summary of rights. A landlord that denies an application based on a screening report must give an adverse action notice naming the company. Common errors include another person's record matched by name, a dismissed case reported as a conviction, and an eviction filing reported without its outcome.
Background check cases from Riverside and San Bernardino counties are filed in the Central District of California, Eastern Division, and are generally heard at the federal courthouse in Riverside.
Where Riverside–San Bernardino FCRA cases are filed
FCRA claims are federal, so they go to a United States District Court. Cases from Riverside–San Bernardino are heard in one federal district:
- Central District of CaliforniaRiverside and San Bernardino counties (Eastern Division). Courthouses: Riverside.Our attorneys are admitted here
State law also applies: see California Background Check Error Lawyers.
Common background check errors
- Someone else's criminal or eviction record matched to you by name
- Dismissed, sealed or expunged cases still reported
- Charges reported as convictions, or misdemeanors as felonies
- The same case listed several times
- Eviction filings reported without the dismissal or outcome
Learn how these cases work on our background check lawsuits page, or read our lawsuit guides for Checkr, Sterling, HireRight, First Advantage, RealPage, SafeRent, RentGrow and TransUnion Rental Screening.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Los Angeles fair chance ordinance apply to jobs in the Inland Empire?
No. The City of Los Angeles ordinance covers jobs in the city, and the Los Angeles County ordinance covers unincorporated Los Angeles County. Jobs in Riverside and San Bernardino counties fall under California's statewide rules and the federal FCRA.
A gig or delivery app deactivated me after a background check. Does the FCRA apply?
It can. If a company used a consumer report from a background check company to make the decision, the FCRA may require notice and a copy of the report. The background check company must also report accurately. Whether the FCRA covers a particular gig arrangement depends on the facts.
A background check showed someone else's criminal record. What can I do?
You can dispute the record with the background check company, which generally must reinvestigate within 30 days and correct or delete what it cannot verify. Matching records by name alone can lead to errors. If the mistake cost you a job, you may have a claim for damages.
How long do I have to file an FCRA lawsuit in Riverside–San Bernardino?
FCRA deadlines are the same everywhere: generally two years from when you discover the violation, and no more than five years from when it happened (15 U.S.C. § 1681p). Waiting can cost you the claim.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area Population Totals: 2020–2025
- 28 U.S.C. § 84 (judicial districts of California)
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
- Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681p (time limit for FCRA claims)
Updated November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.