A private company that operates prisons, and a consumer background reporting firm are violating federal and state fair credit laws by not providing job applicants with timely notice of reports including criminal histories that are used to deny them employment, according to a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The proposed class action alleges that the GEO Group Inc. doesn’t give applicants with criminal histories prior notice or a chance to challenge the reports before withdrawing job offers based on the reports. Accurate Background Inc. is also named as a defendant. Under the FCRA, companies “must comply with strict requirements before using background check information for employment purposes,” said OssaiMiazad of Outten& Golden in New York. Both the GEO Group and Accurate Background said they comply with the applicable laws.

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