FixableWork, school & institutions
The background-check industry
Screening firms that never forget an old address or a closed matter.
Understand it
Employment and tenancy screening companies compile files on you from public records, credit data and databases - and errors, old addresses, or matters you would consider closed can surface years later and cost you a job or a tenancy. In the UK you have rights to see and correct what they hold.
How to spot it
If a job or tenancy application is “referred” or declined oddly, a background file may be the reason.
Close the gap
- Ask the screening firm for a copy of your file - a subject access request is free.
- Correct errors in writing; they must fix inaccurate data under UK GDPR.
- Keep your own record of addresses and dates, to challenge mistakes.
- Check your statutory credit report, a common input, for errors.
What to do about it
This is part of your plan - Trim what data brokers hold. Work through it there and you’ll close this off along with everything else it covers.