San Francisco is a city full of opportunity—but also fierce competition. A single mistake on a background check can cost you a job, housing, or your professional license. If you’ve experienced an adverse decision due to false or outdated information in a background report, you may have the right to take legal action under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
At FCRA Attorneys, we help San Francisco consumers fix background check errors and pursue justice. Whether it’s an employment denial or a failed rental application, we fight negligent background screening companies and ensure your rights are enforced in federal court.
Denied a Job or Apartment in San Francisco Due to a Background Check Error?
The FCRA is a federal law that governs how background check companies (consumer reporting agencies) collect and share your personal data. Under this law:
- You must be notified if a background check is used against you
- You are entitled to a copy of your report
- You can dispute inaccurate or outdated items
- The agency must investigate within 30 days
- You can sue for damages if your rights are violated
This law applies to both employment background checks and tenant screening reports.
Common Background Check Errors in San Francisco
San Francisco employers, landlords, and gig platforms often use third-party services like Checkr, Sterling, HireRight, and CoreLogic. These agencies can get it wrong. Common issues include:
- Mixed Files – Data from someone with a similar name appears on your report
- Old or Expunged Records still reported
- Incorrect Criminal Histories or Driving Records
- Wrong Personal Identifiers (SSN, DOB)
- Duplicate or Fabricated Evictions
These errors can impact job applicants, renters, gig workers, and licensed professionals alike.
Our FCRA Services for San Francisco Clients
At FCRA Attorneys, we provide:
- Free Legal Case Evaluation – We review your report and identify violations
- Dispute Preparation – We help you draft and send proper dispute letters to the background agency
- Lawsuit Filing – If the report is not corrected, we file suit in federal court
- Settlement or Trial Representation – We push for maximum recovery of damages
There are no upfront legal fees. We work on a contingency basis—no win, no fee.
Employment Background Checks in San Francisco
San Francisco’s tech, healthcare, and service sectors rely heavily on pre-employment background checks. Under the FCRA, employers must:
- Notify you in writing of their intent to conduct a background check
- Obtain written consent
- Give you a copy of the report before taking adverse action
- Provide a chance to dispute the findings
Many employers skip these steps, or rely on incorrect reports. If this happened to you, we can help you seek justice and compensation.
Tenant Screening Report Errors in San Francisco
San Francisco’s competitive housing market makes tenant screening reports a critical part of lease applications. These reports often include credit, eviction, and criminal data.
If you were denied housing because of inaccurate or unfair information, the landlord must:
- Give you an “adverse action” notice
- Provide a copy of the report
- Inform you of your dispute rights
If they fail to do so—or if the report was inaccurate—you may be entitled to legal remedies.
What Can You Recover in an FCRA Lawsuit?
If your rights were violated under the FCRA, you may be eligible for:
- Statutory Damages – Up to $1,000 per violation
- Actual Damages – Lost wages, housing costs, reputational harm, emotional distress
- Punitive Damages – If misconduct was willful
- Attorney’s Fees and Costs – Covered if you prevail
Our firm has recovered meaningful compensation for clients across California.
San Francisco FCRA Case Examples
- A biotech researcher lost a job offer due to a false criminal record
- A rideshare applicant was rejected after Checkr misidentified their driving history
- A tenant was denied an apartment due to a prior eviction that had been dismissed years earlier
You are not alone—and you don’t have to navigate this process by yourself.
Why Choose FCRA Attorneys in San Francisco?
- Exclusive Focus on FCRA Law – We don’t split our time across other practice areas
- Deep Experience – We’ve handled cases against the largest reporting agencies in the country
- Federal Court Litigators – Licensed to pursue claims in California’s federal courts
- Zero Cost Unless You Win – We front all costs and only get paid if you do
Contact Our San Francisco Background Check Lawyers Today
If you’re facing job loss, housing denial, or reputational damage due to a background check error, don’t wait. The FCRA gives you rights—and we’re here to enforce them.
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.