If you have been denied employment, housing, or otherwise harmed because a criminal background check showed a record you had previously expunged, help is available.
You expunged your records so your life could be better. Let’s make sure that happens.
“It feels good to know that I won’t have to be reminded of a silly mistake I made every time I need a background check performed.”
“For years after I changed my life and was ready to start fresh, I was unable to fully move on due to my past record and charges. [Expungement] completely changed my life and [I] was able to get the job I want, an apartment in my name and even get a passport.”
“Expungement of my record helped me become a school teacher.”
“After my expungement was complete I was able to obtain a job that paid more.”
— Respondents to an anonymous survey regarding their expunged records
Report FCRA Violation to Government Agencies
When criminal background check companies report your expunged record to employers, landlords, or anyone else, they have violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act or FCRA. You can report a violation of the FCRA to the government agencies that enforce it: the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB.
For information on filing a report with the FTC, click the link below: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0157-background-checks#help
You can also call the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
For more information on filing a report with the CFPB, click on the link below: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
You can also call the CFPB at 1-855-411-CFPB (1-855-411-2372).
State Attorneys General can bring a lawsuit under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. If your expunged record has been reported in a criminal background check, you can report the FCRA violation to your State Attorney General.
Click on the link below for information on how to contact your State Attorney General:
Report FCRA Violation to State Attorney Generals
Help Background Check Companies Remove Your Expunged Records
ExpungementClearinghouse.org and the Foundation for Continuing Justice help individuals who have expunged their criminal records get those records removed from criminal records databases.
For more information, click on the link below:
https://www.continuingjustice.org/our-projects/criminal-database-update/
In some circumstances, the use of a criminal background check by employers or landlords when making employment decisions or housing decisions may actually be discriminatory. In these unique circumstances, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission “EEOC” and the Department for Housing and Urban Development “HUD” can help.
You can reach out to the EEOC at the following link: https://www.eeoc.gov/contact
You can file a complaint with HUD at the following link: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint#_Information_About_Filing
Report Violations to EEOC and HUD
Testimonial on going through the entire expungement process of spouse
Testimonials.
