Uber Drivers Fired Over Checkr Errors
Uber operates on a massive scale, with millions of drivers worldwide and over 1.5 million drivers in the U.S. The vast majority of Uber drivers in the U.S. have their background checks processed by Checkr Inc., making it a critical component of the company’s driver screening process. Checkr is a leading consumer reporting agency that provides background checks for Uber, Spark, Lyft, DoorDash, and many other rideshare and delivery service platforms.
Uber and other platforms conduct background checks to ensure the safety of both their customers and drivers. On the surface, this seems like a reasonable approach - after all, no one would want to be driven by a felon or share a ride with someone who has a history of reckless driving or multiple traffic violations.
Well, unfortunately, Checkr background check is not always going so smoothly. Checkr has had issues with both false positives (reporting records that don’t belong to a person) and false negatives (failing to catch actual records). Background check errors can be a nightmare, especially when someone’s job or livelihood is on the line. This way a customer may end up with a driver who is a felon, and at the same time even the most law-abiding driver may face deactivation after a background check. And the most frustrating fact is that even after you file an Uber background check dispute, it does not mean that the record will be corrected.
Uber does not publicly share the number of drivers unfairly deactivated due to errors in Checkr reports. However, based on historical data and the extent of Checkr's role in the rideshare industry, a rough estimate for 2024 suggests that between 10,000 and 50,000 Uber drivers could have been impacted by background check mistakes, resulting in wrongful deactivations.
Common Errors in Uber Driver Background Checks
Reporting information that belongs to someone else.
Checkr’s automated system, used to generate Uber drivers' background reports, relies on algorithms to match criminal records with consumer information. However, in some cases, the system’s loose matching criteria can result in criminal records being incorrectly associated with the wrong person. This typically occurs when individuals have similar or identical names, closely matching Social Security numbers, or other overlapping details. Importantly, Checkr does not verify this information with official sources such as courts, the Social Security Administration, or the Department of Justice. Instead, it obtains data from various third-party vendors on the internet, which can lead to inaccuracies.
Drivers who discover someone else's criminal records on their Checkr reports and face deactivation as a result may be eligible to file a lawsuit against Checkr. This allows them to seek compensation for financial losses and emotional distress caused by the error. In such cases, Checkr may be required to compensate the affected individual, correct the background report, and cover all legal fees. Additionally, they must notify Uber and any other relevant employers about the mistake.
Reporting outdated information.
Checkr collects and stores consumer criminal records but has faced criticism for failing to keep its databases up to date. As a result, many Uber drivers receive background checks containing outdated information about their criminal and traffic records. Checkr may inaccurately report closed criminal cases as pending or, in a more serious violation of the FCRA, include sealed or expunged records in a driver’s background report.
Drivers should know that Checkr has no right to report a case that was sealed or expunged. If a criminal case was closed or dismissed, Checkr must accurately reflect this in the report. If they fail to do so, the driver can file a complaint and pursue a claim in Federal Court to seek compensation for lost income.
Failure to verify driver’s SSN.
Social Security Number verification is a crucial part of Uber's background check process. While Checkr typically verifies SSNs without issues, some drivers face deactivation due to Checkr incorrectly reporting that their "SSN cannot be traced." Assuming driver has correctly provided their information and driver's license to Uber and Checkr, failing to verify a valid SSN may constitute a violation of their rights under the FCRA.
Checkr’s system glitches should not prevent people from working for Uber or other jobs. Drivers with a valid SSN that Checkr fails to verify may also be entitled to a monetary compensation lawsuit against Checkr.
Incorrect Driver’s License Status
To verify a driver's eligibility, Uber must check their license status and history of prior traffic violations. Checkr is responsible for reporting this information accurately based on official records from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). However, Checkr may fail to retrieve correct data, mistakenly reporting a valid driver’s license as invalid. This issue often arises when a driver moves to a different state and obtains a new license or when a suspended license is reinstated, but Checkr fails to update the status accordingly.
Errors in Checkr's Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) reports are treated as FCRA violations. Consumers affected by inaccurate reporting have the right to file a lawsuit against Checkr and seek compensation.
If your Uber account was deactivated for any of these reasons, please submit a Complaint Form, and our legal team will get in touch with you!
Uber Background Check Disqualifiers
While many drivers are deactivated due to errors in their Checkr reports, not all background checks contain mistakes. In some cases, drivers with a criminal history or traffic violations may genuinely be ineligible to drive based on Uber’s requirements.
Driver’s Criminal History.
Consumers with a criminal history may face deactivation, even if the offense occurred years ago. While many assume that background checks only reveal cases from the past seven years, the FCRA imposes no time restrictions on reporting criminal records. Checkr reports may include misdemeanors, felonies, pending cases, probation violations, and other details about a driver's criminal history. However, dismissed or dropped cases can only be reported for up to seven years.
Driver’s Traffic History.
Uber is extremely sensitive to traffic violations and may deactivate drivers due to their driving history. In fact, Uber can deactivate a driver’s account even for a single ticket for illegal parking. Obviously, individuals with reckless driving charges or DUI records are likely to have their accounts deactivated, and in most cases, the deactivation will be permanent.
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