You may qualify to file a lawsuit if a background check was mishandled.
If you were denied a job, had an offer revoked or were terminated after an employment background check, you may be eligible to file a class action lawsuit under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
What to know about the employment background check class action lawsuit
- Core Issue: Employers may be violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) by failing to follow required steps before denying jobs, revoking job offers or firing workers based on background checks.
- Who it Affects: This may affect job applicants and employees nationwide who lost a job opportunity or were terminated after a background check.
- Legal Status: Attorneys are actively investigating claims.
- Harm/Impact: These issues can lead to lost income, stress and harm to your professional reputation.
- Take Action: If an employer mishandled your background check process, see if you qualify by completing the form on this page.
What is the employment background check class action lawsuit?
Job applicants and workers across the country allege that some employers violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) by failing to follow required steps when using background checks to make hiring or firing decisions.
These claims argue that employers:
- Failed to provide a clear, standalone disclosure that a background check would be conducted
- Ran background checks without proper written authorization
- Did not give workers a copy of their background report or a summary of their FCRA rights before taking action
- Failed to provide advance notice before denying a job, revoking an offer or terminating employment
- Made final decisions without giving individuals time to review and respond to the report
When these steps are skipped, workers may lose job opportunities without a fair chance to respond — and the law may allow them to seek compensation.
Who qualifies for the employment background check class action lawsuit?
You may qualify for an employment background check class action lawsuit if the following apply:
- Within the past two years, you were denied a job, had a job offer revoked or were terminated after an employment background check
- Your employer or potential employer did not provide proper written disclosure or did not obtain your written authorization before running the background check
- You were not given a copy of your background report, a summary of your FCRA rights or time to review and respond before a decision was made
Time limits may apply. Do not wait to check whether you may qualify.
Legally reviewed by: Jennifer Malainy
Chief Legal Marketing Officer, Siri & Glimstad
The law firm responsible for the content of this page is: Siri & Glimstad; New York, NY – National Representation; 888-747-4529; www.sirillp.com.
Case updates
Legal status as of April 2026
- Attorneys are actively investigating FCRA violations related to employment background checks.
This page was last reviewed and updated in April 2026 to reflect the latest case developments.
How FCRA violations can cause long-term harm
When an employer fails to follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the consequences can go far beyond a missed job opportunity.
- Lost Income and Benefits: Being denied a job or terminated can leave workers without wages, health insurance and other benefits for weeks or even months.
- Damage to Professional Reputation: An improperly handled background check can create issues that follow candidates into future job searches, making it harder to secure employment.
- Emotional Distress: Losing a job opportunity or being fired can cause stress, anxiety and financial uncertainty.
Federal law exists to help prevent these issues. If your rights under the FCRA were violated, you may have the right to pursue compensation.
Your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that protects job applicants and employees by requiring employers to follow specific steps when using background checks to make employment decisions.
Under the FCRA, employers must:
- Provide a clear, standalone disclosure that a background check may be conducted
- Obtain your written authorization before running the background check
- Give you a copy of the background report and a summary of your rights before taking adverse action
- Provide written notice before denying employment, revoking a job offer, reassigning you or terminating your employment based on the report
- Provide a copy of the report and allow you time to respond
Even if the information in your background report is accurate, employers are still required to follow these steps.
If an employer fails to comply with these requirements, it may violate federal law — and you may have the right to file an FCRA lawsuit and seek compensation.
Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.
After you fill out the form, an attorney(s) or their agent(s) may contact you to discuss your legal rights.
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