Checkr Background Check: All You Need to Know

What is Checkr?

Checkr is a background-checking company, founded in 2014 by Daniel Yanisse and Jonathan Perichon, focusing on high-tech services for businesses that require vetting of new hires or contractors. While Checkr’s advanced technology offers people better security when doing background checks, it speeds up and streamlines the screening process, hence saving time.

Checkr Background Check Status

The Checkr background check status is a critical item that helps determine where an individual’s background screening process is at any given point in time. When a company makes a background check request using Checkr, the report passes through several stages before it can be completed. When any such status is set, each status will have a detail which tells how the background check progress is. Here is an exhaustive explanation of the possible statuses that one might be dealing with when using Checkr for a background check:

Pending

• Initiated: This is where the screening indicates that the background check has been requested, but the screening process is yet to start. Some information or consent may be required from the candidate at this point, especially to get the check going.
• In Progress: There is an active process of doing the background check. The background check involves obtaining and verifying data from different sources such as criminal databases, employment records, and educational institutions. The duration of this may vary depending on the number of criteria set by the employer and the responsiveness of other organizations.

Intermediate Statuses

• Consider: This status appears after the background check has passed on to the next level where review by the employer, based on their pre-defined criteria, may have found information that could have an impact.
• Discrepancy: When there is contradiction or inconsistency in the information provided by the candidate relative to what appears in the background check, this status is used to indicate that further investigation or clarification is needed.

Completion Statuses

Clear: In this case, the background check has been completed and no disqualifying information has been found based on the criteria set by the employer. If the employer has a clear standard and the results of the background check indicate that the applicant has crossed the threshold that they have set for all acceptable candidates, then a clear status generally indicates that the candidate passed the background screening according to the employer’s standards.

Consider: Though it appears as an intermediate status, the “Consider” can also be a final status if the report contains information that needs examination. Unlike an immediate disqualification, this status allows for employer discretion in the decision-making process.

Additional Statuses

• Suspended: A background check may be suspended if Checkr does not proceed due to missing information, lack of ability to verify data, or if it’s awaiting action by the candidate, such as consent or further information.
• Dispute: If a candidate challenges the information contained within the background check report, the status may reflect this while the dispute is being investigated in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) guidelines.

Managing Statuses

Employers and candidates are notified of the background check status on the Checkr dashboard or through email. It is important that a candidate responds promptly with any requested information and that the employers need to review their findings within the context of their hiring policies.

What Does Checkr Background Check Show?

The purpose of a Checkr background check is to provide employers with a comprehensive and pertinent report to make informed hiring decisions, capturing information about the history of a candidate to aid in those decisions. The content of a Checkr background check report will often vary according to the employer’s request and the type of check conducted. Below are detailed descriptions of the typical elements that may be included in a Checkr background check:

Criminal Records

• County Criminal Records: It is searched for a criminal record and records all information, including the case number, the charge, disposition, and sentencing.
• State Criminal Records: This adds a broader search to the state level, which includes the capture of any criminal activity reported across different counties within a state.
• Federal Criminal Records: This identifies crimes prosecuted at the federal level, such as fraud, embezzlement, and federal drug charges.
• National Criminal Databases: This provides an extended search across the various states and counties for any criminal records, including warrants and sex offenses.
• Sex Offender Registry: It checks whether the individual is listed on any state sex offender registries, providing information about the offense and registry status.

Civil Records

• Civil Search: This includes a review of litigation records to uncover any non-criminal lawsuits involving the candidate both at the county and federal levels. This might include disputes, contract violations, and small claims.
• Verification Checks
• Employment Verification: It verifies the employment history of a candidate, including positions held, employment dates, and, sometimes, reasons for leaving.
• Education Verification: It verifies the candidate’s educational background, including any degrees obtained, institutions attended, and graduation dates.
• Professional Licenses: This checks for any professional licenses that the candidate may have, checking the status, issuance, and any disciplinary actions.
• Credit Report
• Employment Credit Report (Credit History): In cases where a role requires financial responsibility, this part of the background check provides an insight into the candidate’s financial stability and responsibility without revealing a credit score. Includes account histories, payment records, bankruptcies, and collections. This is conducted with the candidate’s consent and in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
• Driving Records
• Motor Vehicle Report (MVR): It specifies information of a candidate in relation to the history of driving, including license status, traffic violations, suspensions, and DUI records. This is important, especially for jobs that require driving services.
• Additional Checks

Depending on the employer’s requirements and the nature of the job, a Checkr background check may include:

• Social Media Screening: Reviews the candidate’s public online presence and activity for any potential red flags or behavior inconsistent with the employer’s values.
• International Background Checks: It can extend the checking to the countries where the candidate lived, studied, or worked abroad.
• Report Features

A Checkr background check report is structured to present clear, actionable information. In doing so, it will contain the following:

• Clear Identification: This clears the candidate’s identification for accuracy in information.
• Summary of Findings: This gives a summary section for quick reference and highlights any areas of concern or notable findings.
• Detailed Information: It presents detailed information and context for each section of the background check to allow employers to understand the nature and seriousness of any findings.
• Legal Compliance: Ensuring that all information is gathered and reported within the applicable laws and regulations, along with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

What Does Checkr Background Check Show?

The purpose of a Checkr background check is to provide employers with a comprehensive and pertinent report to make informed hiring decisions, capturing information about the history of a candidate to aid in those decisions. The content of a Checkr background check report will often vary according to the employer’s request and the type of check conducted. Below are detailed descriptions of the typical elements that may be included in a Checkr background check:

Criminal Records

• County Criminal Records: It is searched for a criminal record and records all information, including the case number, the charge, disposition, and sentencing.
• State Criminal Records: This adds a broader search to the state level, which includes the capture of any criminal activity reported across different counties within a state.
• Federal Criminal Records: This identifies crimes prosecuted at the federal level, such as fraud, embezzlement, and federal drug charges.
• National Criminal Databases: This provides an extended search across the various states and counties for any criminal records, including warrants and sex offenses.
• Sex Offender Registry: It checks whether the individual is listed on any state sex offender registries, providing information about the offense and registry status.

Civil Records

• Civil Search: This includes a review of litigation records to uncover any non-criminal lawsuits involving the candidate both at the county and federal levels. This might include disputes, contract violations, and small claims.
• Verification Checks
• Employment Verification: It verifies the employment history of a candidate, including positions held, employment dates, and, sometimes, reasons for leaving.
• Education Verification: It verifies the candidate’s educational background, including any degrees obtained, institutions attended, and graduation dates.
• Professional Licenses: This checks for any professional licenses that the candidate may have, checking the status, issuance, and any disciplinary actions.
• Credit Report
• Employment Credit Report (Credit History): In cases where a role requires financial responsibility, this part of the background check provides an insight into the candidate’s financial stability and responsibility without revealing a credit score. Includes account histories, payment records, bankruptcies, and collections. This is conducted with the candidate’s consent and in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
• Driving Records
• Motor Vehicle Report (MVR): It specifies information of a candidate in relation to the history of driving, including license status, traffic violations, suspensions, and DUI records. This is important, especially for jobs that require driving services.
• Additional Checks

Depending on the employer’s requirements and the nature of the job, a Checkr background check may include:

• Social Media Screening: Reviews the candidate’s public online presence and activity for any potential red flags or behavior inconsistent with the employer’s values.
• International Background Checks: It can extend the checking to the countries where the candidate lived, studied, or worked abroad.
• Report Features

A Checkr background check report is structured to present clear, actionable information. In doing so, it will contain the following:

• Clear Identification: This clears the candidate’s identification for accuracy in information.
• Summary of Findings: This gives a summary section for quick reference and highlights any areas of concern or notable findings.
• Detailed Information: It presents detailed information and context for each section of the background check to allow employers to understand the nature and seriousness of any findings.
• Legal Compliance: Ensuring that all information is gathered and reported within the applicable laws and regulations, along with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Common Checkr Background Check Errors

Error Type	Description	Resolution Steps
Incomplete Information	Essential information missing from the background check request.	Review the request submission for completeness and provide any missing details.
Document Verification Fail	Submitted documents could not be verified as authentic or relevant.	Submit new or additional documents for verification as requested by Checkr.
Mismatch Information	Information provided by the applicant does not match records found during the background check.	Verify the accuracy of the submitted information and correct any discrepancies.
Access Denied	Checkr is unable to access required records or databases, often due to legal restrictions or denials.	Contact Checkr support for guidance, may require additional consents or alternative verification methods.
Report Discrepancy	The background report contains incorrect information or errors.	File a dispute with Checkr to correct inaccuracies in the background report.
Suspended Check	The background check process is paused, usually due to missing information or needed action from the applicant.	Provide the required information or documents to resume the background check process.

This table summarizes common issues that might arise with Checkr background checks, offering a straightforward guide for individuals and employers to address and resolve these errors efficiently.

Checkr Background Check Suspended

A suspended background check from Checkr indicates that background screening will be halted temporarily. Some scenarios, with due course for proper resolution, warrant specific actions to be put in place and then continue with the check. Understanding why a background check may be suspended and how to address it is crucial for both employers and candidates. The following comprehensively explains the scenarios that may lead to suspension and the required steps to move ahead:

Common Reasons of Suspension

• Incomplete or Inaccurate Information: One of the most common reasons for suspension is incomplete or inaccurate information provided by the candidate. It may be anything from a candidate lacking full legal names, dates of birth, or Social Security numbers that are necessary to run a smooth and accurate search.
• Documentation Required: For some checks, some mandatory documentation may be requested from the candidate, like consent forms, copies of ID documents, or specific authorizations. Often, these required documents are not provided on time or there are issues with them, and the check may be suspended.
• Access Issues: Accessing records from such institutions or employers, or courts, may be restricted at some point, or if there is any delay in accessing the same. This can delay the run of the background check.
• Discrepancies Found: If first-round checks in a background check happen to uncover discrepancies or possible mismatches in the information provided, then the process may be suspended, pending clarification or resolution.

Steps to Resolve a Suspended Background Check

• Submit Missing Information: The candidate may need to supply missing information, or correct inaccuracies. This is typically achieved through Checkr’s candidate portal, where specific indications of what is missing are made.
• Submit Required Documents: Typically, candidates are instructed on how to submit the required documents, usually by uploading them to a safe platform or directly to the requesting party.
• Contact Checkr: Where access issues or discrepancies are involved, Checkr may ask the candidate or the employer for more information or clarification. Prompt response to such inquiries could help end the suspension faster.
• Follow Instructions: Instructions that come with a suspended background check are mostly detailed enough. Following these instructions accurately is very important in resolving any suspension quickly.

Effect of Suspension

Hiring Process Delay: A suspended background check will delay the hiring process because employers usually await a completed background report before making final hiring decisions.

Opportunity for Correction: Suspensions also present an opportunity for candidates to correct or update information so that the background check is reflective of their history.

Preventing Suspensions

• Complete Information: Candidates should ensure that all provided information is true and complete in order to avoid suspension as a result of missing information.
• Read Carefully: Both the employer and the candidate should read and follow any instructions provided by Checkr during the background check process in order to reduce the likelihood of suspension.

Checkr Dispute

The process of dispute within Checkr is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which is one of the laws to ensure that the individual has the right to correct inaccuracies or incomplete information about their past backgrounds. Here’s a detailed look into the dispute process with Checkr:

Initiation of Dispute
Notification: The first step in the dispute process is for the individual to notify Checkr that they believe there is incorrect or incomplete information in their background check report.

Formal Dispute Submission: The individual can formally submit a dispute online or in writing, specifying what they are disputing. It is best for the individual to provide as much detail and evidence as possible in support of his claim.

Checkr’s Review Process
Investigation: Upon receiving a dispute, Checkr has the obligation of conducting a thorough investigation of the contested information within 30 days, but it usually concludes way before that.

Verification: Checkr will review the disputed information, verify it with the original sources (such as courts, educational institutions, and past employers), and check for any errors in the report.

Correction or Deletion: If Checkr finds out that the disputed information is indeed inaccurate or incomplete, it will either correct it or remove it from the report.

Notification of Outcome
Notification of Outcome: After investigation, Checkr must notify the individual of the outcome. This includes describing the investigation, any changes made to the report, and providing a corrected background check report if any change was made.

Additional Rights Under FCRA
Consumer Statement: However, even though the dispute does not change the background check report, the individual still has the right to add a brief statement to their report, explaining their side of the story regarding the disputed information.

Further Disputes: The individual is not restricted to a single dispute and can file additional disputes if new information comes to light or other disputes if inaccuracies or errors are found in the background check.

Importance of Dispute Process
The dispute process is a very important element in ensuring that background checks are accurate and fair. They protect individuals’ rights and guide employers in the process of making decisions based on correct information. The provisions for this regulatory framework are developed to guarantee the integrity of the background screening process, with the dispute process being one of the most important components of this regulatory framework.

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