No, background checks are not always 100% inaccurate. In many cases, they can be inaccurate. Background reports maintained by government agencies, such as driving records and criminal records, tend to be fairly accurate as the information they contain is reported by law enforcement departments and courts. Consumer credit background checks, by contrast, are estimated to be nearly 50% inaccurate. Medical records are usually accurate as the information is critical to proper medical treatment; however, inaccuracies have been reported and are quite controversial. Previous employment records are usually accurate as they pertains to job titles and dates worked, yet job performance records can be a subject of much dispute.

The area of greatest inaccuracy in background checks involves consumer credit reports. Consumer advocate groups estimate that nearly 50% of all information reported on consumer credit reports is inaccurate. The reasons for such a high degree of inaccuracy range from identity theft, credit card fraud and unscrupulous collection agencies to a lack of accountability on the part of credit bureaus to ensure accuracy. For these reasons, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) was passed years ago to protect consumers from inaccurate data and provide a mechanism for making corrections.

Correcting mistakes in a consumer credit report involves filing a dispute with the reporting credit bureau. Correcting mistakes in a criminal report will likely involve contacting the law enforcement department or court responsible for reporting the information. Correcting mistakes on a medical or employment record involves filing a dispute with the reporting company directly.

If you believe you may have mistakes on your background checks, you should conduct a background check yourself. Conducting a background check online is quick and easy and can save you a lot of trouble in the future.