Wag 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 Wag Perform Background Checks?
Yes, Wag says it does background checks on people who apply to become dog walkers, pet sitters or boarders through its platform. Beyond that, Wag’s website contains little to no information about the background check process, who does it, what it costs, how long it takes and disqualifying offenses.
However, one 2018 news story about safety concerns associated with the use of dog walking apps does provide additional insight. Citing information provided by Wag’s public relations team, the article indicates that Wag’s background check process begins with verification of the applicant’s Social Security Number. It also includes a criminal background check through a national crime database, sex offender registry, and a “Global Watchlist.” Wag also does more comprehensive local background checks as necessary.
If Wag uses another company to run background checks, it must have your written consent first.
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Wag and the Gig Economy
Wag is a digital platform (website and app) that allows dog owners in need of help caring for their pets to find and hire people who provide it. Specifically, Wag serves as a forum where dog owners can find dog walkers, dog sitters and dog boarders. Wag also allows people to sign up to provide those services through its platform. It encourages them to do so by promoting the opportunity to work outside, work with dogs and earn money while doing so.
How Much They Promise You Can Earn
According to Wag, the amount dog walkers can make varies based on where they are providing dog walking services and the length of each walk. Wag also says that the average for a 30-minute walk is $12 plus any tips the walker receives.
Wag also says that the costs of dog sitting and boarding services ranges from $15 for pickup/drop off services to $39 per night for overnight stays.
Anecdotal evidence also indicates that Wag takes a percentage of earnings for allowing providers to find work through the platform.
How Do I Qualify To Work For Wag?
To be a dog walker on Wag, you must be more than 18 years old, legally allowed to work in the United States and you must be capable of walking for at least 20 minutes. In addition to passing Wag’s collar and harness and situational assessment tests, you must provide three recommendations, have prior experience with dogs and pass the background check.
Wag has similar requirements for dog sitters and boarders .
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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Wag Background Check Complaints
Because becoming a service provider on Wag’s platform is contingent on passing the background check, a number of applicants have expressed concern about how long the process takes. In one Internet forum , several people said the process took at least two weeks, including one who said it took more than a month.
Wag does not indicate how long the application review process usually takes, but advises anyone who hasn’t heard anything in within two weeks to contact them.
You Received A Pre-Adverse Action Notice From Wag. 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
Your Right to an Accurate and Legally-Compliant Report From Wag
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
Your Right to Dispute an Unfair Background Check Report from Wag
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 Wag 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 Wag fails to meet those standards, the FCRA affords you a number of rights.
Your Right to File A Lawsuit Against Wag if your report includes inaccurate or illegal info
If you lost out on a Wag job or were suspended or fired because a 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.
Ready to Assert Your FCRA Rights?
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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."
