In Chicago’s competitive job and housing markets, a background check error can be more than an inconvenience—it can cost you a career opportunity, a place to live, or your reputation. If inaccurate or outdated information in a background report has harmed you, you may be entitled to relief under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
At FCRA Attorneys, we represent consumers in the Chicago area who’ve been affected by false background checks. Whether you’re dealing with an employment denial, a tenant screening rejection, or an error on a rideshare platform, we help you correct the report and pursue financial compensation.
Free Case Review
(888) 498-9533
Denied a Job or Apartment in Chicago Because of a Background Check Error?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies (background check companies) collect, maintain, and share your personal information. Under the FCRA, you have rights including:
- The right to be notified before adverse action is taken against you
- The right to receive a copy of your background report
- The right to dispute inaccurate or outdated information
- A 30-day window for the company to investigate and respond
- The right to sue for damages if your rights are violated
The FCRA applies to employment checks, tenant screenings, and gig economy background checks.
Common Background Check Mistakes in Chicago
Major background check companies like Checkr, HireRight, First Advantage, and CoreLogic operate nationally—including in Illinois. They frequently make the following errors:
- Mixed Files – Your report includes information from someone else
- Old or Expunged Records that should no longer appear
- Incorrect Identifiers such as wrong SSN or date of birth
- Unresolved or Dismissed Cases listed as convictions
- Failure to Give Pre-Adverse Action Notices
These mistakes often result in lost jobs, denied housing, or removal from rideshare and gig platforms.
Our Process for Helping Chicago Residents
We take a straightforward and aggressive approach to fixing your background check issues:
- Free Case Evaluation – We review your background report and assess FCRA violations.
- Dispute Assistance – If you haven’t disputed the error yet, we help you submit the correct documents.
- Litigation – If the report isn’t corrected, we file a lawsuit in federal court.
- Settlement or Trial – We negotiate or litigate to recover compensation.
You pay nothing unless we win.
Employment Background Check Errors in Chicago
Chicago employers are required to follow strict procedures under the FCRA before rejecting a candidate based on a background report:
- They must notify you in writing
- Provide a copy of the report
- Allow a reasonable opportunity to dispute the findings
- Issue a final adverse action notice if the decision stands
Many fail to meet these obligations. If your rights were violated, we can take action on your behalf.
Tenant Screening Errors and Housing Denials
In Chicago’s rental market, tenant screening reports can make or break your application. If your report includes outdated, inaccurate, or unrelated records—and you were denied housing—you may have a legal claim.
Landlords must:
- Provide an adverse action notice
- Include a copy of the report
- Give you a chance to dispute the errors
Failure to do so is a violation of the FCRA.
What Can You Recover in an FCRA Case?
FCRA lawsuits can result in compensation for:
- Statutory damages (up to $1,000 per violation)
- Actual damages for lost wages, housing, or emotional distress
- Punitive damages for willful violations
- Attorney’s fees and legal costs
We fight for the maximum recovery available under the law.
Chicago Case Examples
- A logistics worker denied employment after a background report falsely listed a conviction
- A college student in Hyde Park denied housing after a sealed eviction showed up
- A rideshare driver removed from the platform because of a mixed file
We’ve helped individuals across Cook County and the Chicagoland area resolve their reports and receive compensation.
Why Hire FCRA Attorneys in Chicago?
- FCRA-Focused – We specialize in Fair Credit Reporting Act cases only
- Licensed in Federal Court – We handle cases throughout Illinois and nationwide
- Experienced Litigators – We take on the biggest background check agencies and win
- No Upfront Fees – We only get paid if you do
Talk to a Chicago Background Check Lawyer Today
If you’ve suffered a job loss, rental denial, or platform deactivation because of a background check error, don’t wait. Legal help is just a phone call away.
Free Case Review
(888) 498-9533
Disclaimer: FCRA Attorneys handles federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) cases exclusively in United States District Courts. Our attorneys may or may not be licensed in the state courts of this jurisdiction and do not handle any state-law matters.
Legal services in this state may be provided by an attorney who is licensed in this state and/or admitted to practice before the United States District Courts located in this state. That attorney will be responsible for all legal services provided to clients in this jurisdiction.
Attorney Advertising: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.