How to Dispute a DBS Check or Background Screening Error

If your DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate contains incorrect information, you can raise a dispute directly with the DBS. They have a dedicated disputes process for factual errors — such as convictions recorded against the wrong person, incorrect dates, or offences that should have been filtered.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, certain old or minor convictions become 'spent' and should not appear on a standard DBS check. If spent convictions are incorrectly disclosed, raise a dispute with the DBS and consider complaining to the ICO under data protection law.

For errors introduced by private background screening companies (e.g. employment vetting firms), complain to the company directly and cite your rights under the Data Protection Act 2018. If they refuse to correct the data, escalate to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).