HireRight is one of the world's largest employment background screening companies, serving nearly half of the Fortune 100 and thousands of other employers globally. If you have applied for a job at a company that uses HireRight, the company likely holds your personal data including your Social Security number, address history, criminal records, employment history, and education records. Here is how to limit their use of your data and request deletion.
What Data Does HireRight Collect?
HireRight compiles comprehensive background reports from public and private data sources. The information they may hold includes:
- Full name, aliases, and date of birth
- Social Security number
- Address history spanning multiple years
- Criminal records from county, state, federal, and international databases
- Employment verification including dates, titles, and reasons for leaving
- Education verification including degrees, dates attended, and GPAs
- Professional license verification
- Credit history if authorized by you and the employer
- Drug test results if applicable
- Driving records and motor vehicle reports
How to Exercise Your Opt-Out Rights With HireRight
For California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)
California residents have the strongest data rights when it comes to HireRight:
- Visit HireRight's "Do Not Sell" page: Navigate to hireright.com/legal/do-not-sell-my-personal-information
- Submit a request: Fill out the form to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information
- Request deletion: Submit a separate request to delete your personal data from their systems
For Residents of Other U.S. States
HireRight also offers opt-out rights for residents of other states with privacy laws:
- Visit the opt-out page: Go to hireright.com/legal/united-states-opt-out-rights-outside-of-california
- Select your state: Choose your state of residence to see which rights apply to you
- Submit your request: Follow the instructions to submit your opt-out or deletion request
Background Screening Is Exempt From Some Opt-Out Rules
HireRight notes that state privacy opt-out provisions generally do not apply to background screening activities conducted under the FCRA. This means while you can opt out of marketing data sharing, you cannot prevent HireRight from processing legitimate background checks requested by employers with your authorization. However, you can still request deletion of data from completed checks.
For EU/UK Residents (GDPR)
If you are based in the European Union or United Kingdom, you have the right to be forgotten under GDPR:
- Submit a Subject Access Request (SAR): Request a complete copy of all data HireRight holds on you
- Request erasure: Ask for your data to be deleted from HireRight's systems
- Contact the data controller: In many cases, the employer who ordered your background check is the data controller and must instruct HireRight to delete your data
Skip the manual opt-outs
One opt-out won't stop them — brokers relist your data. PrivacyOn removes your info from 100+ sites and keeps it removed.
See where you're exposed — free 60-second scanHow to Dispute Errors on a HireRight Report
If your HireRight background check contains inaccurate information, follow these steps:
- Request your report: You can get a free copy of your background report by contacting HireRight at applicantcenter.hireright.com
- Identify specific errors: Note exactly which items are inaccurate, such as criminal records that do not belong to you or incorrect employment dates
- File a dispute in writing: Send a detailed dispute letter via certified mail to HireRight, Attention: Consumer Relations, 3349 Michelson Dr., Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92612
- Include supporting documents: Attach copies of court records, employment letters, diplomas, or other documents that prove the information is wrong
- Track the 30-day deadline: Under the FCRA, HireRight must investigate and resolve your dispute within 30 days of receipt
Keep Records of Everything
Save copies of all correspondence with HireRight, including emails, letters, and confirmation numbers. If your dispute is not resolved satisfactorily, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov or with your state attorney general's office.
Additional Privacy Steps
Beyond opting out directly with HireRight, take these additional steps to protect your data:
- Opt out of pre-screened offers: Visit optoutprescreen.com to stop unsolicited credit offers that also expose your data
- Freeze your credit: Place a credit freeze at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to prevent unauthorized credit inquiries
- Check your HireRight report annually: Request a free copy of your background report once per year to catch errors early
- Clean up data broker listings: Many of the public records HireRight uses come from data broker sites that you can opt out of individually
Comprehensive Privacy Protection
HireRight is one piece of a much larger personal data ecosystem. Your information appears on hundreds of data broker sites, people-search engines, and public records databases that serve as source material for background check companies.
PrivacyOn removes your data from 100+ data brokers and people-search sites with continuous monitoring, helping reduce your overall digital footprint. While employment screening under the FCRA requires separate opt-out procedures, cleaning up your data broker presence limits what companies like HireRight can find in the first place and reduces your exposure to identity theft and unwanted surveillance.