Rover runs background checks on applicants, but what happens if you are rejected? Don’t ignore it, or you may encounter the same problem if false errors remain on your report. You have legal rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to fix those mistakes or even sue for damages.
Does Rover Perform Background Checks?
Yes, Rover requires background checks for all prospective dog walkers and pet sitters.U.S. applicants must provide their complete legal name and Social Security number, which is then supplied to Checkr, another company that actually does the background checks for Rover. Checkr will use the information to find relevant information (if any) in the applicant’s criminal history and driving records.
A basic background check is done to verify the applicant’s name, address, and Social Security number. A basic background check is also done to verify that the applicant is not on a sex offender registry or the terrorist watch list. In addition to verifying all of the same information as a basic background check, an enhanced background check includes a comprehensive search of county court records based on where the applicant has lived over the past seven years.
Because they are usually exempt from public disclosure, juvenile records and offenses committed by minors are not included in background checks. Any cases that have been dismissed, cases that have not been prosecuted, and arrests or convictions from foreign countries are not included. Traffic violations are not included unless they are reported as criminal offenses, in which case, they may be classified as felonies or misdemeanors.
As per Rover’s Terms of Service (TOS), service providers or prospective service providers that submit to to Background Checks conducted on Rover’s behalf automatically agree to the “collection, use and disclosure of the information” obtained during and issued in reports resulting from this process.
However, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you also have the right to be told if information from a background check has been used against you; the right to know the contents of the background check report; and the right to contest inaccurate or outdated information.
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Rover and the Gig Economy
Rover is a website and app that connects pet owners in need of dog walkers, or short-term care (boarding or at home care) for their companion animals. Once they sign up on the site and provide the required information, pet owners can access a list of service providers, request and book services. Rover also allows people who enjoy working with pets to apply to become dog walkers, pet sitters, or provide boarding services in their own homes. Rover dog walkers and pet sitters can set their own rates and schedules, and choose which types of pets they want to care for.
How Much They Promise You Can Earn
Rover dog walkers and pet sitters are independent contractors . Therefore, earnings vary greatly depending on each person’s individual preferences and goals. The company says part-time dog walkers and pet sitters can make up to $1,000 per month, and full-time dog walkers and pet sitters can make more than three times that amount. All transactions are conducted through Rover.com ; pet owners are charged when the service is booked, and the funds are available to the provider two days after the service has been completed. Within this context, it is important to note that Rover takes a percentage (anecdotal evidence indicates it could be as much as 15 percent) of each walker or sitters’ earnings in exchange for allowing them to get work through platform.
How Do I Qualify To Work For Rover?
To become a dog walker or pet sitter on Rover.com, you must be at least 18 and have access to a computer or mobile device in order to create your profile. Rover must approve your profile, and you must pass the background check. Furthermore , you must be legally qualified to work in the area where you provide pet care services, and you must have all of the licenses and permits required to provide such services. You are also required to comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws.
And they’ll also run a background check on you….
What are my Background Check Disclosure and Consent Rights?
You have a right to know if an employer will use information from a background check against you and an employer cannot obtain background check information without your express written consent.
A background check company cannot hand over your information to an employer unless the employer certifies that: (1) it has “clearly and conspicuously” disclosed to you in a separate document that it may obtain a background check; (2) you have authorized it to get the background check; and (3) it will provide you with advance notice of any adverse action based in any part on the background check report, a copy of the report, and a summary of your rights under the FCRA.
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Rover Background Check Complaints
Although Rover provides comprehensive information about its profile review process and reasons for qualifications based on that, there is little information about disqualifications based on the criminal background check. And this has created confusion among some applicants and providers.
In a Rover community discussion on the topic, one user asked whether any violation could result in disqualification. A couple of people said either they or someone they know were disqualified because of DUI arrests. Another person said she was working as a pet sitter when she was removed from the platform “over a child support charge.”
Federal law excludes information about arrests that occurred more than seven years ago from background check reports unless the yearly salary for the position the applicant is seeking exceeds $75,000. There is no time limit for conviction records.
Because it uses another company to conduct background checks on its behalf, Rover says it is not“responsible or liable in any way” for any inaccuracies in background check reports
Rover also directs anyone who wants to dispute the contents, accuracy or timeliness of a background report to contact Checkr directly.
You Received A Pre-Adverse Action Notice From Rover. What Are Your Legal Rights?
By law, anyone who uses the information in a background check report to screen job applicants must let any applicant know when they didn’t get the based on the information in the report.
This means you have a right to see what is in the background check. Depending on your specific circumstances, you may also be able to sue the company that requested the background check and rejected your application, or the company that issued the background check report
Can criminal convictions appear on my background check after 7 years?
Yes, but a background check company must take reasonable steps to ensure its report is as accurate as possible. The FCRA also puts limits on the negative information a job screening report can include. A report cannot list civil suits, judgments, arrest records, paid tax liens, accounts in collection or most other negative information after 7 years, or bankruptcies after 10 years. It also cannot list expunged convictions. However misdemeanor or felony criminal convictions that go on record and are accurate can stay on your background check indefinitely.
What if I was deactivated or fired because of an accident and it wasn’t my fault?
You may have legal recourse now if you were fired or deactivated by Rover because you were involved in a no fault car accident, thanks to a groundbreaking decision handed down by the United States Court for the Sixth Circuit. The court held that material omissions, such as not reporting the fault of an accident, can be interpreted as inaccurate information under the law.
Your Right to an Accurate and Legally-Compliant Report From Rover
A background check company must take reasonable steps to ensure its report is as accurate as possible.
The FCRA also puts limits on the negative information a background check report can include. A report cannot list civil suits, judgments, arrest records, paid tax liens, accounts in collection or most other negative information (except criminal convictions) after 7 years, or bankruptcies after 10 years. It also cannot list expunged convictions
Can I Dispute an Unfair Background Check Report from Rover?
If you don’t get a job because of information on your background check report, you are entitled to a copy of the report. You also have the right to dispute the report if it has errors or includes information it shouldn’t.
If you dispute your report, the background check company must investigate and correct any errors within 30 days.
Were You Harmed By False Information or Errors In Your Rover Background Check Report?
Often, whether you get hired or promoted depends on the information gleaned from an employment background check. A background check can come in many shapes and sizes. It may be as simple as verifying your social security number. Or it may include a detailed report of your credit and criminal history, or even information gathered from interviews of your friends and neighbors about your character and reputation.
Whatever the scope of the background check, the FCRA sets strict standards for how employers background check companies get consent for and conduct background checks, and what they can do with the information they find.
If a background check commissioned by Rover fails to meet those standards, the FCRA affords you a number of rights.
Your Right to File A Lawsuit Against Rover if your report includes inaccurate or illegal info
If you lost out on a Rover job or were suspended or fired because a Rover background check report included inaccurate or illegal information, you may be able to sue in federal court. If you sue and win, you may be entitled to your actual damages or statutory damages up to $1,000, plus punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and court costs.
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If you’re ready to assert your rights and fight incorrect information in your background check, we can help you get justice. Complete our form for a FREE case evaluation, or call 844-685-9200 NOW.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
Rover runs background checks on applicants, but what happens if you are rejected? Don’t ignore it, or you may encounter the same problem if false errors remain on your report. You have legal rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to fix those mistakes or even sue for damages.